Neeraj Chopra says, “was gifted desi ghee once,” giving his take on Arshad Nadeem receiving a buffalo

Arshad Nadeem, the gold medalist at the Paris Olympics 2024, said he was gifted a buffalo for winning the Olympics gold.

Neeraj Chopra, who brought silver for the country at the Paris Olympics 2024, says that he has seen athletes being feted similarly where he grew up. However, Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan, who clinched gold for his nation, made more headlines when the javelin thrower said that his father-in-law announced a gift of a buffalo for his achievement. It is traditionally considered an honor in the area he hails from and has since become a news that spreads hilarity among people.

Neeraj Chopra reacts to the news of Nadeem getting a buffalo as an achievement.

Neeraj Chopra, Arshad Nadeem’s great rival and friend, has now reacted to the news of him getting a buffalo as an achievement. Neeraj, who has become the third Indian to win individual medals back-to-back Olympics after taking silver in the men’s javelin throw final, said at a virtual interaction with the media facilitated by JSW Sports, “I was gifted desi ghee once. Back home in Haryana, we also get gifts like 10kg desi ghee, 50kg desi ghee, and Ladoos.” He added, “There are promises made, ‘If Neeraj wins this competition, I’ll give him 50 kgs of ghee.’ I have heard these things being said since I was a kid, and where I grew up, circle kabaddi and wrestling are very popular. Ghee is gifted because we believe that it helps increase strength, which we need in our sport. Buffalos are also gifted in our region. Wrestlers and kabaddi players are also gifted with Bullet motorbikes or tractors.”

Neeraj, on his performance at the final, said, “I did not have even 1 percent doubt that I couldn’t better it. In javelin, improving your distance by 3-4m is not a huge deal.” He also admitted that while he was mentally charged up to do it, his body couldn’t match up.