Introduction to a Fierce Rivalry
In Cricket, Pakistan and India have a deep love and deeper rivalry, but this week the attention of both nations turns to a much simpler and shorter sporting event. At the World Athletics Championships in Japan, men’s spear thrower Neraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem are expected to compete for the first time since the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
A Recent History of Competition
On this occasion, Nadeem made gold from Pakistan ahead of Chopra, his Indian rival, who had chosen silver after winning gold at the 2020 Olympics. In 2025, Julian Weber from Germany had the longest throw with 91.51 meters, and while Chopra reached over 90 meters, Nadeem’s was 86.40 in May. However, this has been at his only event since the Olympic Games, but the fans don’t seem to be too concerned. "He had a calf muscle operation in July, so that he couldn’t compete as much as he wanted," Farid Khan, a sports fan based in Karachi, said. "We are not worried about his shape, because as long as he is fit, he can always produce one or two big throws."
Popularity of the Athletes
The two athletes are huge stars at home, partly because both countries have starved for Olympic success. India may have 1.4 billion people, but Chopra’s triumph has only been his third gold medal since 1964. Nadeem’s Gold was Pakistan’s first in 40 years, and when his plane landed back in Lahore from Paris, thousands were waiting to greet their new sports hero. Chopra was the face of international brands such as Samsung, Visa, and Coca-Cola. "We have never had a lot of success in athletics, so Neraj’s Gold was big," Sumit Pandey, a sports fan from Mumbai, said. "He is also a well-spoken guy and a decent-looking man; he has become one of the greatest sporting icons."
A Bond Between Rivals
The fact that the two youngest Olympic champions are neighbors gives their relationship an additional advantage. "One hundred percent that Neraj’s rival comes from Pakistan, everything can be felt bigger," Pandey said. After the Olympic Games in 2024, a common South Asian pride was shared. Chopra’s mother Saroj Devi told the Indian news agency Ani that she was proud even though Nadeem won. "We are very satisfied with the silver, the one who has gold is also our child and that who has silver is also our child," she said. Nadeem’s mother repeated these feelings. "They are not only friends, but also brothers," Razia Parveen told Islamabad Zeitung Independent Urdu.
Tensions and Respect
At the beginning of this year, the Indian athlete invited his Pakistani rivals to take part in the Neraj Chopra Classic, an event in Bengaluru in July. However, in April, 26 people, mainly Indian tourists, were killed by terrorists in Pahalgam in India in the cashmere. India accused Pakistan for the attack, and the two sides exchanged fire. Chopra then canceled the invitation. "After everything that has taken place in the past 48 hours, Arshad’s presence in the NC Classic was completely out of the question," he wrote on social media. Tokyo is the first time that the two have met since this attack, and all the signs of tensions between them are discussed in detail. "The relationships between our countries are not good, that is only reality," Khan said. "However, I do not expect that there are problems between them. They are professional athletes, will concentrate on the event and there is mutual respect."
A Lasting Legacy
Of course, it’s not just about the two South Asian stars in Tokyo. "Julian Weber is in very good shape and will certainly want to win gold," Ali Ahsan, a Pakistani sports journalist, said. Win or lose, their legacy is already certain. "For the first time, Neraj has shown that Indians give the opportunity to win a medal at the highest level for athletics. He galvanized other Indian athletes and gave them confidence that they can start," Pandey said. "There will be more because of Neraj." It’s the same in Pakistan. "Arshad was an inspiration for all of us," Khan said. "Whatever happens, he will go into history, but it will be great if he wins gold in Tokyo."
