No one in history of Olympics has thrown a javelin as far as Arshad did on that unforgettable night
KARACHI: Words can’t fully capture the emotions that swept across the nation on Thursday evening as Arshad Nadeem achieved what many had only dreamed of — Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medal. This historic victory not only ended a 32-year medal drought for the country but also marked Pakistan’s first gold medal since 1984, previously claimed by the hockey team. But Arshad didn’t just win; he set the bar for future generations. His monumental throw of 92.97 metres not only secured the gold but also shattered both the Olympic and Asian records.
No one in the history of the Olympics has thrown a javelin as far as Arshad did on that unforgettable night. The decisive moment came in his second attempt, a throw so powerful it left his competitors scrambling.
The immense pressure Arshad applied with that throw was evident as others faltered, unable to meet the colossal challenge of surpassing his mark. Yet, to prove his supremacy, Nadeem returned in the final round, launching the javelin 91.79 metres, the second-best performance of his career — a feat that left no doubt about his dominance in the final.
The third of eight siblings from a humble background of a village in Mian Channu, Nadeem’s sporting talent initially emerged in cricket – like any other Pakistani. He used to be a fast bowler. However, his interest shifted to athletics.
He announced his arrival with a throw of 70.46 in Islamabad before winning his first medal for country -- a South Asian Games bronze in the Indian city of Guwahati. Since then, he never looked back and kept increasing his personal best throws every year, which made him one of the finest javelin throwers of this era.
Despite being overshadowed by his Indian rival, Neeraj Chopra, in major competitions over recent years, Arshad never wavered in his pursuit of greatness and kept proving himself as a serious medal contender at the Paris Olympics. He displayed glimpses of his mettle on the global stage with a fifth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics and a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, where he became the first South Asian to throw over 90 metres.
Arshad’s resilience shone through as he fought back from elbow surgery to win his first World Championship medal — a silver at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, finishing just behind Chopra. Even a knee injury couldn’t keep him down; after surgery in February, he clawed his way back to form, displaying a strong rhythm at the Paris Diamond League.
In the qualifying round ahead of the Olympic finals, Arshad’s throw of 86.59 metres was a statement of his intent, boosting his confidence as he aimed for his first Olympic title. In a world where Pakistan and India are often seen as rivals, Arshad and Neeraj have shown that sports can unify people. Their mutual respect and friendship have elevated both nations to the forefront of global javelin competition, together.
While Neeraj received the full support of the Indian government, Arshad’s journey was far from ideal. Despite his proven potential, he faced numerous challenges, including inadequate support from the authorities. In the aftermath of his Olympic triumph, the Pakistan Sports Board issued a statement, claiming unwavering support for Arshad.
The government faced rightful criticism for not doing enough for an athlete who has now won nine international medals since 2016.
“The government has stood firmly behind Arshad Nadeem throughout his career, providing unwavering financial and technical support,” read the message sent on IPC and PSB WhatsApp group for the media.
“With the Pakistan Sports Board and Athletics Federation at the helm, his training — whether at home or abroad— has been meticulously arranged. In just the past three years, Mr. Arshad has been honored with Rs. 22 million in cash awards. Moreover, in the 2023-24 financial year, Rs. 69 million was dedicated to the Athletics Federation to uplift athletes across the nation,” the statement added. According to breakdown provided to Geo News by the PSB, a large sum of Rs2.2m was the prize money Arshad deserved for winning various medals for Pakistan. He was also provided 10 million rupees under the head of “medical treatment” in April earlier this year.
Other rewards include Rs5 million each for the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games and a silver medal in World Athletics Championship, while one million each for winning medals in four different events. When asked, a PSB official said that the board is still finalizing and summarizing the details of money spent on Arshad’s training in South Africa.
It is worth mentioning that Arshad’s main competitor Neeraj Chopra had the budget of around 5.71 crores INR, which is around 19 crores in Pakistani currency.However, Arshad – despite not getting enough support – has achieved the historic feat, which shows is dedication and resilience.