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Neeraj Chopra, India's golden kid, has had an exponential climb in his career trajectory in a very short period of time. The 25-year-old has shown himself in a number of tournaments of the highest caliber, whether it be the Asian Games or the Commonwealth Games. After becoming the first person from his nation to take home an individual gold in a track and field event at the mega-event in Tokyo, his popularity reached an all-time high.
Chopra has garnered equal admiration from across the border as a result of his performance. A similar incident occurred lately when Pakistani javelin thrower Muhammad Yasir was overcome after receiving a call from an Indian celebrity.
At the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok last month, Yasir took home a bronze medal with a throw of 79.93 meters, and Chopra contacted him to send his congratulations.
"When he (Neeraj Chopra) called me and complimented my performance after I had won the bronze medal in the javelin event, it came as a nice surprise. He wished me success in my upcoming endeavors," Yasir told Geo TV.
Yasir stated that he pays close attention to Chopra's performances and training regimens. He emphasized the disparity between the two nations' athletic facilities.
The ability to train with foreign coaches over an extended period of time at the greatest facilities in nations known for generating elite athletes is the only distinction between Pakistani and Indian athletes, according to one expert.
"Unfortunately, neither the necessary equipment nor international coaches are available in Pakistan. We must find a way to get by, which is another reason we should value Arshad Nadeem's performances, added Yasir.
At the continental competition, India won 27 medals, including 6 gold and 12 silver, while Pakistan won just one, thanks to Yasir.
Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's top javelin thrower who broke the 90-meter barrier at the Birmingham Games last year, was injured and was unable to compete in the championships.
In contrast, Chopra made a miraculous comeback from injury to win the Diamond League in Lausanne for the second time in a row. He was competing after missing the FBK Games in Hengelo, Netherlands on June 4 and the Paavo Nurmi Games in Turku, Finland on June 13 due to a muscle strain.
Chopra had already won the Doha Diamond League on May 5. This was his second Diamond League victory of the year.
