Asian Games 2023 Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem: Why there will be no India vs Pakistan in men's javelin

Add as a preferred source on Google

Asian Games 2023 is in full swing as athletes from all around the continent are putting up an exhibition of their talent in the showpiece. In the middle of it all, Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's star Javelin thrower and Neeraj Chopra's rival, has pulled out of the competition because of a knee injury.

One of the most anticipated events in the 19th Asiad, the men's Javelin is scheduled to be held on Wednesday (October 4). Nadeem's exit from the Asian Games, just one day before the event, came as an unpleasant surprise for the fans as they were expecting an India-Pakistan battle in the event.

Neeraj-Nadeem rivalry

Nadeem has been Neeraj's one of the biggest rivals in the game. However, both share a wonderful bond together, both on and off the field. Neeraj Chopra was seen sharing the Indian flag with Nadeem during the Budapest World Athletics Championships 2023.

Talking about this incident, Neeraj previously told the media, "Arshad made his country proud, I felt bad, I asked him about the Pakistan flag, the flag was found later, everybody was there so I asked Arshad to come and take a picture."

Notably, Neeraj won the World Athletics Championships, while Nadeem came second, this year. Nadeem previously crossed the 90m mark in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, clinching the gold.

Nadeem was certainly going to be Neeraj's biggest competition at the Asian Games 2023 but his exit at the last moment from the event makes the road clearer for Neeraj. Additionally, we can also expect a podium finish from India's Kishore Jena.

Official statement about the injury

A statement from the Pakistan contingent confirmed Nadeem's injury. "After arrival at Hangzhou, at the first training session on September 27, Arshad Nadeem complained to Dr. Asad Abbas, who was accompanying him, that he has been grappling with persistent pain (in right knee) for several months, a concern that has become particularly pressing since the World Athletics Championships," the statement read.

"On October 2, Arshad again complained of pain in the right knee and expressed a desire to undergo an evaluation to determine the impact (of injury) and if he will be able to participate in the javelin throw event at the Asian Games," said the statement further.