Neeraj Chopra has done it again – he is a two-time Olympic medalist! At the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, he made the country proud by winning a gold medal. This time at the 2024 Paris Olympics, however, he lost the gold to Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem. It might not have been his day. But Neeraj won India’s first Olympic silver medal this year.
Speaking to the press after winning silver, Neeraj Chopra showed immense grace and camaraderie towards Arshad Nadeem, with whom he has shared multiple inspiring moments of friendship in the past.
“We all feel happy whenever we win a medal for the country. It’s time to improve the game now. We will sit and discuss and improve the performance. India played well (at the Paris Olympics). The competition was good (today)…but every athlete has their day, today was Arshad’s day. I gave my best but some things need to be looked upon and worked upon. Our national anthem may not have been played today, but it will definitely be played somewhere else in the future,” he said.
#WATCH | Paris: On winning a silver medal in men’s javelin throw at #ParisOlympics2024, Ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra says, “We all feel happy whenever we win a medal for the country…It’s time to improve the game now…We will sit and discuss and improve the… pic.twitter.com/kn6DNHBBnW
— ANI (@ANI) August 9, 2024
In case you are wondering where Neeraj Chopra gets this grace and sportsman spirit from, you have to look no further. His mother, Saroj Devi, has a heart of gold that doesn’t differentiate between players from two rival nations. Speaking to the press after Neeraj Chopra’s silver medal-winning performance, his mother said:
“We are very happy. For us, even silver feels like gold. The boy who won gold is also my child. Everyone puts a lot of hard work to go there (to the Olympics).”
Here’s a look at the video:
Neeraj Chopra’s mother says “ I am happy with the silver, the guy who got gold ( Arshad Nadeem) is also my child, everyone goes there after doing a lot of hard work”
what grace from Neeraj Chopra’s mother, something that people can learn a lot from ♥️
Most beautiful video on… pic.twitter.com/Uqz3LQZCv7
— Roshan Rai (@RoshanKrRaii) August 8, 2024
Several people online lauded Saroj Devi for showing such incredible grace and setting the right example for our country. In a world which is filled with so much hate, it is important for us to show kindness and empathy.
Here’s how people responded:
Story that caught my eye: Neeraj Chopra’s mother’s simple but profound words: ‘gold jiska hai woh bhee hamara beta hai!’ Salute your true spirit of sportsmanship. No wonder ma’am you have produced a champion like Neeraj. Contrast Neeraj’s mum grace with the abusive RW twitter… pic.twitter.com/7yF7LZ1es8
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) August 9, 2024
Neeraj Chopra’s mother symbolises how crucial kindness and empathy can be to shape the next generation. In these aggressive times, she’s the cool breeze that soothes and calms the parched heart.
— Rituparna Chatterjee (@MasalaBai) August 9, 2024
not to be overdramatic but neeraj chopra’s mother saying “the guy who won gold (arshad nadeem) is also my child” will stay with me for a long long time. people are so simple. they can be so beautiful when they want to be. how i wish world was just as simple
— s (@_Lazy_being) August 8, 2024
What a Profound words of Neeraj Chopra’s mother
‘gold jiska hai woh bhee hamara beta hai!’
With a Secure & True Sportsmanship Spirit like this
No Wonder , You have given to India , a Champion like Neeraj Chopra ❤️As a Fellow Haryanvi, So Proud of you
As an Indian, a Big… pic.twitter.com/yATBDfPGb6— Harmeet Kaur K (@iamharmeetK) August 9, 2024
Now we know where Neeraj Chopra’s humility comes from ??
Whole family is GOLD
— Garv (ਗਰਵਿਤ) (@imgarvmalik) August 8, 2024
“Humme toh Silver bhi Gold hi lag raha.
Gold laaya woh bhi hamara hi bacha hai.
Sab mehnat kar ke jaate hain.”Spoken like a true Sportsman’s mother.
No wonder Neeraj is such a humble, balanced person; Heart and Spine intact.?❤️— Vini Kohli (@vinikkohli) August 8, 2024
Neeraj Chopra is so well raised, now we know where he got that class and grace from ?
— sohom (@AwaaraHoon) August 8, 2024
“The guy who got gold is also my son”
Beyond the narrow definitions of borders there lies simplicity, honesty, integrity, and honor that only true love can achieve. https://t.co/8W34yN8xgo
— Shahram Azhar (@ShahramAzhar) August 8, 2024
She is the real GOLD!