We were never really close friends: Neeraj Chopra on Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem

DOHA, May 15: Seeking to set the record straight, star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Thursday clarified that he and Arshad Nadeem were never really close friends and said “things won’t be the same” after the recent India-Pakistan conflict.
In the aftermath of last month’s Pahalgam terror attack, the decorated athlete and his family were bombarded with abuse on social media for inviting Pakistan’s Nadeem to the now-postponed NC Classic in Bengaluru.
On the eve of the Diamond League here, the two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion put things in perspective when asked about his off-field equation with Nadeem, who won the gold medal in the Paris Games last year after the Indian finished at the top of the podium in the Tokyo edition in 2021..
“First I would like to clarify that I don’t have very strong relationship (with Nadeem), we were never really close friends or something. But, because of this (tensions on the Indo-Pak border), it will not be like before. But if someone talks to me respectfully I reciprocate the respect,” Chopra told reporters during a press conference.
“Yes, as an athlete we have to talk, I have some good friends from the athlete community from all round the world, not only in javelin throw, but also other events. If somebody talks to me respectfully, I will also talk to him with full respect..
“Javelin is a very small community and everyone is competing for their country and everyone wants to give their best.”.
The Paris Games silver-winning star from Haryana had earlier said he was deeply hurt to see his and his family’s integrity being questioned in abusive social media posts after an invitation was extended to Nadeem to compete in the tournament held in his honour.
Chopra had then clarified that invites for NC Classic were sent out a day before the Pahalgam terror attack in which 26 people, mostly tourists, were killed by terrorists with links to Pakistan..
Settling nicely with Zelezn
Chopra, who roped in the legendary Jan Zelezny as his coach after a highly successful partnership with Klaus Bartonietz, said he has settled nicely with the three-time Olympic gold medallist Czech legend after facing some challenges in the beginning..
“Initially it was a bit different to work with Jan (current coach). He has a different style than Klaus and it was challenging in the beginning, but now it’s going very well.
“Because Jan is a legend, his presence has also helped me not only in training but also with other things, like how to be stronger mentally, .. how to compete in tournaments with a strong mindset..
“I feel very good because I work with Jan Zelezny, everyone knows about Jan Zelezny. The tournament in South Africa was like a training competition, it has gone well for me, and I am now am ready for tomorrow,” Chopra said..
The 27-year-old said both Zelezny and Klaus’ coaching philosophy is different and he had to make some adjustments..
Chopra said he prefers to train abroad as it helps him to stay focussed..
“Normally, I train outside India, in South Africa, or, sometime in between the season, in Europe, so that I can focus more on my training an competition.
“When I go back to India I have to do a lot of other things. In the beginning it was hard but competing with so many great athletes has helped with my confidence. I spend most of my time training abroad so it also helps me to remain focussed.”. (PTI)