Tag: Neeraj Chopra

  • Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker leave big names behind in brand value

    Neeraj Chopra, Manu Bhaker leave big names behind in brand value

    India’s Olympic silver medalist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and bronze medalist Manu Bhaker have made a mark in their respective sports and left many big names behind in the race for net worth and brand value.

    Neeraj has started to overtake Indian cricketers in contracts, while major companies are eyeing two-time Paris Olympics bronze medalist shooter Manu for contracts.

    According to Indian media, the brand value of both has increased tremendously, up to 330 crore Indian rupees (More than 1,100 PKR).

    Before the Olympics, Neeraj Chopra’s brand value was equal to that of Indian all-rounder Hardik Pandya, but now it is expected to skyrocket, potentially surpassing Pandya’s and making him the highest-valued non-cricketer athlete.

    22-year-old Manu has attracted the attention of companies with extraordinary speed. She recently signed an ambassador contract with a beverage company for one and a half crore Indian rupees.

    Before the Paris Olympics, her contract fee was 25 lakh per year, and her management company revealed that 40 brands wanted to sign contracts with the bronze medalist.

    Despite not winning a medal, wrestler Vinesh Phogat’s brand value is increasing; his annual fee is now INR one crore, up from 25 lakh INR.

  • ‘Happy that a Pakistani won’: Saroj Devi, Neeraj Chopra’s mother

    ‘Happy that a Pakistani won’: Saroj Devi, Neeraj Chopra’s mother

    Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold and Arshad Nadeem’s record achievement as the first Pakistani to secure a medal in the World Athletics Championship are milestones in their respective careers.

    When a journalist asked Chopra’s mother about his win over Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, trying to give an India vs Pakistan narrative to the historic moment, her answer was all love and has gone viral on social media.

    “Look, all have come to play in the field. One or the other will definitely win. So there is no question of being from Pakistan or Haryana,” she said.

    “It is a matter of happiness. Even if that Pakistani had won, there would’ve been great happiness,” she added.

    While Neeraj and Nadeem engage in fierce competition on the field, both young athletes share a profound camaraderie beyond the arena. Beyond the thrill of rivalry, their off-field friendship has been evident through mutual appreciation and support on various occasions. The heartwarming connection serves as a poignant reminder of how the spirit of sportsmanship can not only bridge the gap between nations but also serve as a potent tool in minimizing conflicts.

    In February 2016, the two competed against each other for the first time in the South Asian Games at Guwahati. While Chopra won the gold with a throw of 82.23, Nadeem took the bronze with 78.33 m. The second time the duo faced each other was at the Asian Junior Championships in Vietnam, where Chopra won the silver with a throw of 77.60 m and Nadeem claimed the bronze with 73.40. The India-Pakistan rivalry was seen at the World U-20 Championship in Poland, where Nadeem missed out on qualifying for the final with a throw of 67.17 to finish at the 15th spot. Chopra won that U-20 world title with 86.48, setting a new world U-20 record.

  • PM Kakar congratulates Arshad Nadeem on his win

    PM Kakar congratulates Arshad Nadeem on his win

    Star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem made history on Sunday when he became the first Pakistani to win the first-ever silver medal for his country at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary with his best 87.82-meter throw.

    India’s Neeraj Chopra was able to secure the gold medal with his best throw of 88.17 meters.

    Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar took to X (former Twitter) and congratulated Arshad Nadeem as he became the first Pakistani to win a medal at the World Athletics Championship.

    It was the Nadeem’s third throw that was the biggest breakthrough as it reached as far as 87.82 meters — his season’s best.

    Arshad Nadeem celebrated his win by stating, “What a day! Tiring yet rewarding. Like to thank Allah for this giving me the ability to go this far. This was the first time in the history of Pakistan that any Pakistani athlete won a medal at the World athletics championships.”

    Pakistani cricketer and former team captain Mohammad Hafeez said, “Proud of u.”

    Hassan Cheema, selection committee secretary and manager analytics and team strategy for the national cricket team men’s side, said: “Grew up watching Diamond Leagues & World Championships on Super Sports without ever expecting to see a Pakistani face in it ever. Today we’ve got a medal!! ”

    Pakistanis all around the world are celebrating this win and are looking forward to many more.

  • Olympian Neeraj Chopra disappointed with ‘vested interest’ of Indian Media

    Olympian Neeraj Chopra disappointed with ‘vested interest’ of Indian Media

    Indian Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has come out in defence of his fellow javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem saying that there was nothing wrong in what Nadeem did on the field.

    He slammed netizens and Indian media for spreading propaganda.

    Chopra tweeted a video with the caption:”I would request everyone to please not use me and my comments as a medium to further your vested interests and propaganda. Sports teaches us to be together and united. I’m extremely disappointed to see some of the reactions from the public on my recent comments.”

    In the video, Neeraj says, “I want to say that one issue has come up about something I said in an interview; that I took the javelin from Arshad Nadeem, the Pakistani javelin thrower. So, a huge controversy is being created around this statement.

    “It’s a very simple thing. We (javelin throwers) keep our personal javelins at the field and everyone and anyone can use that javelin. It is a rule. So, there’s nothing wrong in it. He was just preparing for his throw with that javelin and then I asked for the javelin back.

    “So it is not such a big thing, and I am very sad that some people are using my name to create a big issue about it. I request you to not do it. Sports teaches all of us to walk together.”

    Neeraj also requested people not to use his name as a medium to further their vested interests and propagandas. “I would request everyone to please not use me and my comments as a medium to further your vested interests and propaganda. Sports teaches us to be together and united. I’m extremely disappointed to see some of the reactions from the public on my recent comments.”

    “All of us javelin throwers share a lot of love. We all have good conversations. So please refrain from saying things that will hurt us,” Neeraj concluded.

    The 23-year-old athlete is the first Gold medal winner after the 2008 Beijing Olympics for India. Abhinav Bindra was the last person to win a Gold medal for India, while Arshad stood fifth in the contest.