"Arshad Nadeem is also like our son," says Neeraj Chopra's mother

Indian star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra's mother, Saroj Devi, lauded Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem after the latter won a first-ever individual gold medal for the contry at the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024.

Pakistan's javelin master made history after he set a new Olympic record with a 92.97-metre throw in the Summer Games.

Nadeem rewrote the Olympic record books in his second attempt during the game. The throw made him able to secure the gold medal for Pakistan after a hiatus of 40 years.

The 27-year-old dethroned defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India at the Stade de France on Thursday.

Chopra secured silver for his country with a throw of 89.45 metres.

Following the competition, Chopra's mother heaped praise on Nadeem by calling him "like her son".

“We are very happy. For us, silver is also equal to gold. The one who won the gold [Arshad Nadeem] is also like our son,” Devi said while talking to Indian news channel ANI.

"He [Neeraj] was injured, so we are happy with his performance. I will cook his favourite food," she added.

This is the first-ever individual gold medal in the Olympics for Pakistan in 40 years. Earlier in 1984, Pakistan had won gold medals in hockey at the Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Pakistan also clinched an Olympic medal after a gap of 32 years. The last time Pakistan won a medal was in 1992 after beating the Netherlands in the hockey event (4-3) at the Barcelona Olympics.