Arshad Nadeem's mother says his son and Neeraj Chopra are like "brothers"

Pakistani star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem's mother said that her son and Indian athlete Neeraj Chopra are like brothers to each other.

The 27-year-old athlete made the country proud on August 9 after he secured the first-ever individual gold medal for Pakistan at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Arshad also shattered the Olympic target by setting a new record with a spectacular 92.97-metre throw in the Summer Games. 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. Chopra managed to secure a silver medal for his country with a throw of 89.45 metres.

Following the achievement, Arshad's mother maintained sportsmanship like his child and termed Indian rival her "son".

"If mothers ran the world, there would be no hate, no wars. #ArshadNadeem's mother: 'Neeraj Chopra is like a son to me. I prayed for him too.' (courtesy indyurdu) #NeerajChopra's mother: 'We're happy with silver. The one who won gold (Arshad Nadeem) is also my child.'"… pic.twitter.com/hCHGGZ6c30

— Ghulam Abbas Shah (@ghulamabbasshah) August 9, 2024

"He [Neeraj Chopra] is a friend and bother of my son Arshad Nadeem. Losing and winning is a part of the game and he is like my son too. In Shaa Allah, God will give him success too," she said.

Earlier today, Neeraj's mother, Sarosh Devi, also shared some sentiments for the Mian Channu-born sportsman.

“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.

Arshad's mother also said she is eager to welcome his son by giving him a hug full of love and appreciation.

"The entire nation has prayed for my son's victory," she said while talking to Geo News.

Nadeem's mother further said that she would welcome his gold-medalist son with a garland of flowers.

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.