Exclusive/ ‘Bade Khiladi Hai Neeraj...’: Paralympics Gold Medalist Navdeep Plays Down Neeraj Chopra Comparisons

Para-Athlete Navdeep Singh had one of the most spectacular finish to his campaign in the 2024 Paris Paralympics with a gold medal finish. The para-athlete took up javelin as a sport after witnessing Neeraj Chopra 's pristine talent. With India's golden boy as inspiration, Navdeep had a spectacular finish to his Paris Paralympic campaign, winning gold. He holds Neeraj in high regard, and his response to being compared with India's golden boy is something one should not miss out on.

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Paralympian Navdeep Feels Pride on the Neeraj Chopra Links, but Claims India’s Golden Boy Is on Another Level

During an exclusive interaction with Republic World, Navdeep opened up on being compared with Neeraj Chopra . He said that one cannot compare him with Neeraj, but Navdeep feels honoured that his name is being connected with India's Golden Boy.

"[Comparison toh nahi main thik bolunga kyunki unhone 2020 Olympics mein jeeta tha, world record kia tha. Kaafi bade Khiladi hai Neeraj bhaissaab.] I won't say that there is a comparison because he won gold in the 2020 Olympics and a world record. Neeraj Sir is a really big athlete.

"I am happy and fortunate that my name is linked to Neeraj Chopra , and it feels great that two boys from Panipat are consistently going to the Olympics , be it Tokyo or Paris, and are winning medals. It feels great to put Panipat on the map. People either know Panipat for its fights or two boys from the city winning gold for India in javelin," Paralympian Navdeep said.

Also Read: 'More Aggression than Kohli': Why Gold Medalist Navdeep is Being Called ' Virat Kohli of Paralympics'

In the Men's Javelin F41 Final of the Paris Paralympics, Iranian para-athlete Sadegh Beit Sayah was disqualified. Navdeep Singh had a silver medal finish, but that was turned into gold as a result, adding another medal to India's official count.

The Indian contingent concluded its historic campaign at the Paris Paralympics with 29 medals, including seven gold, nine silver, and thirteen bronze. This was the most medals won by a nation in the history of the competition. India's campaign at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics exceeded their best-ever results, where they won a total of 19 medals: five gold, eight silver, and six bronze.