Arshad Nadeem declines invitation to Bengaluru event

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem has confirmed having declined Neeraj Chopra’s invitation to compete in the NC Classic javelin event in Bengaluru on May 24 due to his busy schedule.

 Nadeem had clinched gold in the 2024 Paris Games with an Olympic record throw of 92.97m, beating Chopra who could manage 89.45m to win the silver.

The Asian Championship which will be held in Gumi, South Korea from May 27 to 31. The (NC) Classic event is from 20th May (May 24), whereas I am scheduled to leave for Korea on 22nd May for the Asian Athletics Championship, news agency PTI quoted Nadeem as saying.

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Arshad Nadeem said he was grateful to Chopra for inviting him to the event.

On Monday, Chopra had said that he had sent an invitation to Nadeem to compete in the inaugural event which the Indian superstar is hosting.

“I have sent an invitation to Arshad and he said he will get back to me after discussing with his coach. As of now he is yet to confirm participation,” Chopra told reporters in a virtual media interaction on Monday.

The two athletes have built mutual respect through their on-field rivalry. Nadeem clinched gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a record throw of 92.97m, while Chopra secured silver with a best of 89.45m.

The maiden edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event will be teeming with stars as the likes of Anderson Peters of Grenada and Thomas Rohler of Germany are taking part.