PARIS: Arshad Nadeem set Stadia de France ablaze by setting a new Olympic record on his way to winning the javelin throw gold medal -- Pakistan’s first ever in an individual sport -- as his second throw covered a distance of 92.97 metres.
The six-feet-three-inch-tall Arshad made the country proud by hurling the javelin to 92.97 metres, improving the Olympic record by over 2.50 metres. His sensational second throw got a standing ovation from the packed-to-capacity crowd.
Following his no-throw at the start of the competition, Arshad came back strongly to make history, sending the entire stadium into a state of utter surprise with a new Olympic record throw. He improved on Norwegian Thorkildsen Andreas’s 16-year-old record of 90.57s, set at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Earlier, Pakistan had won gold medals only in hockey, the last being in the 1984 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Other individual medals have been bronze -- Abdul Majeed in wrestling (1964, Tokyo Olympics) and Hussain Shah in boxing (1988, Seoul Olympics).
After finishing fifth in the last Olympic Games in Tokyo, Arshad rose to the occasion three years later in Paris. His last attempt also crossed 90 metres but his second throw was enough to make him an Olympic record-holder and a gold medalist.
Meanwhile, President Asif Ali Zardari congratulated Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem on winning the gold medal in the Olympics and said Arshad Nadeem is the pride of the nation. “Arshad Nadeem, you are the pride of the entire nation,” President Zardari said in his message to Arshad Nadeem on winning the Gold Medal at the Paris Olympics.
President Zardari said the victory of Arshad Nadeem was the victory of the entire nation. “Setting a great Olympic record in the final, the record-breaking javelin throw is a great achievement. By winning a medal for Pakistan in the Paris Olympics, you made us proud,” the president said. He said Arshad Nadeem made the name of Pakistan in a big competition like the Olympics. “May Allah bless Arshad Nadeem with more success in future,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Armed Forces of Pakistan, Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff Committee (CJCSC) and the services chiefs extended their warmest felicitations to the nation on this momentous occasion, as Arshad Nadeem etched his name in history by becoming the first Pakistani athlete to secure an individual gold medal for Pakistan at the World Olympics.
They said this remarkable achievement is a testament to Arshad Nadeem’s unwavering dedication, unrelenting perseverance, and exemplary hard work, serving as a beacon of inspiration for the entire nation. His triumph is a resounding affirmation of Pakistani talent and determination, showcasing the country’s potential to excel on the global stage. They added by clinching the first-ever individual gold medal in the Javelin throw at the World Olympics, Arshad Nadeem has brought immense pride and joy to the people of Pakistan, cementing his status as a national hero and an iconic symbol of sporting excellence.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has announced a cash award of Rs50 million for Arshad Nadeem in recognition of his outstanding achievement at the 2024 Olympics. The chief minister lauded Nadeem’s dedication and exceptional performance, calling it a moment of pride for the entire nation.
Meanwhile, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) leadership has congratulated Arshad Nadeem for winning the gold medal in the Paris Olympics. In a joint statement, party leaders termed this victory historic and expressed the hope Arshad Nadeem would continue to earn more success for Pakistan in future. Arshad said he is thankful to Almighty Allah for helping him to give an Independence Day gift to the nation.
“I have worked hard and my doctor Ali Sher Bajwa has worked hard on me. I was confident about doing well as I worked and trained hard over the years.”
He said: “Pak-India javelin throw rivalry is like cricket rivalry. I made my best effort to overcame Neeraj Chopra Challenge. I missed my run-up in first throw and came back strongly gathering my rhythm to do my best. I can even better this throw. I have the capacity to do so and you would see that in future. I even threw my last hurdle to over 90 as I was confident and fit enough to make the best of opportunity.”