Neeraj Chopra recently made a public statement about his relationship with Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, saying:

"Arshad Nadeem and I were never really close friends."

This comment came in the context of rising geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan, especially after the Pahalgam attack that has strained cultural and sporting ties. Neeraj clarified that while there has always been mutual respect between athletes on the field, the media and public may have overemphasised their rapport.

·  Their perceived camaraderie became a symbol of cross-border sportsmanship, especially after the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.

·  However, Neeraj emphasised that their interactions were limited to competitions, and they did not maintain a personal friendship off the field.

·  This clarification comes amid growing nationalism and scrutiny of cross-border interactions involving public figures.

 

Honorary Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army

Neeraj Chopra has been conferred the honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army. The Ministry of Defence announced this on May 13, 2025, recognising his outstanding contributions to Indian sports and his role as a national icon. This symbolic honour does not involve active military duty but reflects the nation's appreciation of his achievements and inspiration to the youth.

"...In exercise of the powers conferred by Para-31 of the Territorial Army Regulations, 1948, the President is pleased to confer Honorary Rank of Lieutenant Colonel in Territorial Army on Ex-Sub Maj Neeraj Chopra, PVSM, Padma Shri, VSM, Village & Post Office Khandra, Panipat, Haryana with effect from 16 April, 2025," the notification said.

The 27-year-old ace javelin thrower, hailing from Khandra village near Panipat in Haryana, had won the gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. He bagged a silver medal in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

What does it mean?
The Territorial Army (TA), raised on October 9, 1949, completed 75 years last year and has served the nation in times of war, and in humanitarian and environmental protection works through its eventful journey over the decades.

It is fully integrated with the regular Army. In recognition of nation-building efforts and contributions made during war or conflicts, numerous individuals have been honoured with gallantry as well as distinguished service awards in the TA.

Chopra was a Subedar Major in the Indian Army. He was slated to retire this year, it is learnt.

Chopra is the reigning world champion, having won gold in the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Indian cricketer M S Dhoni was accorded an honorary rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the Territorial Army in 2011.

Neeraj Chopra's next in action when?
Two-time Olympic medallist and Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra is set to compete in the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial 2025 athletics meet, scheduled to take place in Poland on May 23, according to Olympics.com.

Chopra was initially slated to participate in the Neeraj Chopra (NC) Classic, which was scheduled for May 24 in Bengaluru. However, the event was later postponed, allowing him to join the 71st edition of the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial -- a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event.

First held in 1954, the Chorzów meet is among the oldest athletics competitions in Poland and Europe to be held continuously.
In Poland, Neeraj will compete against strong contenders, including Paris 2024 Olympic bronze medallist and two-time World Champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, and former European champion Julian Weber of Germany. A host of top Polish athletes will also be in the fray.

This will be Chopra's third competition of the season. The 27-year-old opened his season at the Potch Invitational Track meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, last month, where he topped the six-man field with a throw of 84.52 m.

His second event of the season will be the Doha Diamond League, scheduled for May 16. Asian Games silver medallist and compatriot Kishore Jena will also compete in the same event.

Neeraj is also scheduled to participate in the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in the Czech Republic on June 24.

 

🏃 Upcoming Competitions

Doha Diamond League – May 16, 2025: Chopra is set to begin his 2025 season at the Doha Diamond League, leading India's largest-ever contingent at this prestigious event. This marks his first major competition under the guidance of a legendary javelin coach. 
ORLEN Janusz Kusociński Memorial, Poland – May 23, 2025: Following the postponement of the NC Classic in Bengaluru due to heightened India-Pakistan tensions, Chopra will compete in this event in Chorzów, Poland.

 

🏋️‍♂️ Training & Fitness

After recovering from a groin injury that affected his performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Chopra has been training under Jan Železný, focusing on refining his technique. He aims to breach the elusive 90-meter mark this season.

 

🗣️ Statement on Arshad Nadeem

Amid rising India-Pakistan tensions, Chopra clarified his relationship with Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, stating, "We were never close friends." He emphasised that recent geopolitical events have further strained their interactions.

The revelation comes on the backdrop of Chopra and his family being bombarded and criticised with a barrage of messages online for inviting Nadeem to the now-postponed NC Classic event in Bengaluru.

"First, I would like to clarify that I don't have a very strong relationship (with Nadeem); we were never really close friends. 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 presser.

But this statement has marked a significant shift in public perception surrounding the Neeraj Chopra–Arshad Nadeem rivalry. After all, the tales of the duo's friendship and bonding were previously celebrated as a rare and heartwarming example of sportsmanship between athletes from two historically hostile nations.

Neeraj and Nadeem have had a storied rivalry in men's javelin throw for the past few years. Their battles on the field have become one of the most anticipated match-ups in world athletics. The subplot of India vs. Pakistan adds even higher stakes.

Their sporting rivalry began at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati, and since then, the duo has faced each other in 10 international competitions. Whenever they came up against each other, fans would regale themselves with epic tales. In the world of athletics, such a rivalry, including athletes from India and Pakistan, is a rare case. The only one that comes to mind is between the legendary Indian star Milkha Singh and Pakistan's Abdul Khaliq from the 1960s.

Despite Neeraj and Nadeem representing archrivals, so far, they have managed to share a great bond, and their mothers have also spoken at length about it. Following Nadeem's historic gold medal and Chopra's second-place finish at the Paris 2024 Olympics, Neeraj's mother, Saroja Devi, famously said: "We are very happy. For us, silver is also equal to gold. The one who got the gold is also like our son," Devi famously said.

Arsahd 's mom, Raziah Parveen, reciprocated the feelings by congratulating Neeraj and saying, "Woh bhi mere bete jaisa hai. Woh Nadeem ka dost bhi, hai bhai bhi hai (He is like a son to me. He is Nadeem's friend, and also like a brother)," she told Pakistani media.

Despite being fierce competitors, Neeraj and Nadeem have often displayed camaraderie off the field, exemplifying the true Olympic sporting spirit.

After the Tokyo Olympics, when Nadeem was controversially accused of tampering with Chopra's javelin, the Indian champion stepped forward to defend his rival, saying: “There was nothing wrong with Arshad Nadeem using my javelin to prepare. It is within the rules, and please do not use my name to push a dirty agenda.”

Another such episode occurred after Chopra's gold medal win at the Budapest World Championships. The Indian, after winning the gold, invited Nadeem for a photo despite the Pakistani athlete searching for his national flag. The gesture quickly went viral and was hailed as a symbol of unity.

But the dynamics have all changed completely. "Yes, as athletes, we have to talk. I have some good friends from the athlete community from all over the world, not only in javelin throw but also in other events. If somebody talks to me respectfully, I will also talk to him with full respect," Chopra stated without mincing any words.

Thus, the message is clear — respect remains, but closeness may be impossible.

 

🇮🇳 Neeraj Chopra Classic – Bengaluru

Chopra is set to host the "Neeraj Chopra Classic" javelin event in Bengaluru on May 24, 2025. This World Athletics Gold category meet will feature renowned throwers, including former world champions Anderson Peters and Julius Yego. Chopra aims to make this an annual event and hopes it will pave the way for India to host a Diamond League event in the future.

SOURCE: The Times of India.