Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic gold medalist, etched his name in history once again by becoming the first Indian to clinch a gold medal in men’s javelin throw at the World Athletics Championships 2023 held in Budapest, Hungary. Adding to the accomplishment, Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem secured the second position in the same event, followed by Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic in third place.
The surge of Indian and Pakistani athletes in the field of javelin throw, a domain previously dominated by Europeans, has captured the attention of sports enthusiasts. However, the narrative often gets limited to the India-Pakistan rivalry, despite Chopra and Nadeem publicly expressing mutual respect for each other through various media interactions.
Recently, a heartwarming video featuring Neeraj Chopra’s mother, Saroj Devi, has been making waves online. In the video, a reporter poses a provocative question to Saroj Devi about her son’s victory over a Pakistani player at the World Athletics Championships. Rather than succumbing to the India-Pakistan rivalry bait, Saroj Devi takes a higher path by emphasizing the spirit of sportsmanship. She gracefully states that on the sports field, a player is just that—a player. She further shares her happiness that a Pakistani player (Arshad Nadeem) also achieved success. Her words reflect the sentiment that victory transcends national borders. She articulates, “See, everyone has come to play on the field. One of them is bound to win. So, whether they are from Pakistan or Haryana doesn’t matter. I’m equally happy for the Pakistani player who won.”
Responses to the video have been overwhelmingly positive. Users are praising Saroj Devi for her grace and sportsmanship. One user playfully remarks, “The reporter was fishing for controversy! Auntie gracefully shared sweets instead. What a gem.” Another user highlights the essence of sportsmanship, stating, “Neeraj Chopra’s mother embodies true sportsmanship. Her words remind us that the spirit of sports goes beyond borders and nationalities. The real essence of competition is in celebrating everyone’s achievements.”
The video of Saroj Devi’s response stands as a powerful reminder that sportsmanship and respect can transcend rivalries and create bridges of camaraderie between athletes and nations.
