'It was Arshad's day, game not over yet': Neeraj Chopra on missing gold at Paris Olympics

Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win two successive Olympic medals with a silver

Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who earned a silver medal at the Paris Olympics, said on Friday, he gave his best, but it  was Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem’s day to win gold.

Chopra said it was time improve the game.   "We all feel happy whenever we win a medal for the country...It's time to improve the game now...We will sit and discuss and improve the performance...India played well (at the Paris Olympics)....The competition was good (today)...but every athlete have their day, today was Arshad's day...I gave my best but some things need to be looked upon and worked upon...Our national anthem may not have been played today, but it will definitely be played somewhere else in the future..." he told ANI.

He also expressed confidence in India's future Olympic prospects. "India played well (at the Paris Olympics). Our national anthem may not have been played today, but it will be heard in the future," he said.

Chopra ettled for silver with a best throw of 89.45 metres in the men's javelin final at the Paris Olympics. Pakistan’s Nadeem Arshad, who finished 5th at the Tokyo Olympics, clinched gold with a monstrous throw of 92.97 meters, setting a new Olympic record.

However, Chopra's performance was hailed as a feat which will inspire the future generations in pursuit of excellence as President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the country in lauding the superstar javelin thrower's achievements.

Tokyo Games champion Chopra on Thursday became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win two successive Olympic medals with a silver in men's javelin throw in the ongoing edition in Paris.

"Neeraj Chopra is excellence personified! Time and again he’s shown his brilliance. India is elated that he comes back with yet another Olympic success. Congratulations to him on winning the Silver," PM Modi wrote on X. "He will continue to motivate countless upcoming athletes to pursue their dreams and make our nation proud." President Murmu said the country would look forward to more medals from Chopra.

Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya chimed in to congratulate the 26-year-old. "What a moment for Bharat! A Silver Medal for @Neeraj_chopra1. He has won his 2nd consecutive Olympic medal! This incredible achievement is historic—no individual in independent Bharat has ever done it before in athletics," Mandaviya posted on X.

Pistol shooter Manu Bhaker, who created history by becoming the first Indian to win two medals in a single edition of the Olympics in the Paris Games, also lauded Chopra.

"ONWARDS AND UPWARDS! He has done it once again, this time in Paris. @Neeraj_chopra1 you are truly one in a million. Congratulations on yet another medal at the Olympics!!," Bhaker tweeted.

(With PTI inputs)