Neeraj won gold in javelin throw at the Asian Games. Nadeem had to settle for bronze.
Jakarta: Pakistan's cricketer-turned-javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem hopes to walk in the footsteps of India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra.
Neeraj won gold in javelin throw at the Asian Games. Nadeem had to settle for bronze.
While Neeraj's throw measured 88.06 metres, a national record, Nadeem's throw went a distance of 80.75m.
In an interview with PTI, 20-year-old Nadeem said, "Neeraj is an amazing talent. I have competed with him about eight times now, including the SAFF Championships in India and Asian Junior Championships. But he has a foreign coach and I don’t. His achievements inspire me and my goal is to emulate him one day, maybe beat him too.”
Nadeem was a fast bowler in Pakistan's U-17 team. But when he picked up a javelin three years ago, there was no looking back. He had the double-arm bowling action like Sohail Tanvir but is right-handed.
Nadeem also spoke of his love for India. He had first come to India for the South Asian Championships in 2016 and fell in love with the country.
(With agency inputs)
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