After Neeraj Chopra’s mother touched hearts by referring to Arshad as her son, the Pakistani athlete’s mother reciprocated the sentiment by calling Neeraj her son as well. She even revealed that she prayed for Neeraj’s victory.
Motherly love is one of the most profound and powerful forces in the world, capable of transcending even the most bitter of divides. In a heartwarming display, this love crossed the borders of India and Pakistan, uniting the families of athletes Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra. Both mothers have shown that a mother’s love knows no bounds—celebrating not only their own son’s achievements but also wishing the best for his competitor, especially when they share a strong friendship.
Arshad Nadeem’s mother joyously celebrated her son’s historic gold medal in the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris 2024 Olympics. Neeraj’s mother, Saroj, expressed her own admiration, saying that Arshad is like a son to her as well. Arshad’s mother echoed these sentiments, considering Neeraj as her own.
“He (Neeraj) is also like my son. He is Nadeem’s friend and also his brother. Wins and losses are part of the sport. May God bless him, may he win medals. They are like brothers, and I’ve prayed for Neeraj too,” Arshad’s mother shared in an interview with a Pakistani news channel. Despite being fierce rivals on the field, Neeraj and Nadeem share a close friendship, with Neeraj offering support to Nadeem on multiple occasions.
“I am thankful to all of Pakistan for the support they gave to Nadeem and the prayers they offered for my son,” Arshad’s mother added.
"If mothers ran the world, there would be no hate, no wars. #ArshadNadeem's mother: 'Neeraj Chopra is like a son to me. I prayed for him too.' (courtesy indyurdu) #NeerajChopra's mother: 'We're happy with silver. The one who won gold (Arshad Nadeem) is also my child.'"… pic.twitter.com/IWM78tCwpI
— PTI GOJRA (@PTI_Gojra) August 9, 2024
The bond between Neeraj and Arshad is well-known, as the two athletes have consistently shown mutual respect and affection for each other. Their mothers’ selfless remarks have won the admiration of fans beyond borders, showcasing a spirit of sportsmanship that goes beyond competition.
“We are happy with the silver. The one who got the gold (Arshad Nadeem) is also my child,” said Saroj Devi, embodying the spirit of shared humanity that transcends even the fiercest rivalries on the field.
On August 8th, Arshad Nadeem dethroned Neeraj Chopra as Olympic champion with a record-breaking throw of 92.97m, while Neeraj secured a silver medal with his season-best throw of 89.4m, earning back-to-back Olympic medals.
