Arshad wins gold at Asian Athletics

ISLAMABAD: Olympic record holder, Arshad Nadeem, once again proved his mettle on the international stage, clinching the gold medal in javelin throw at the Asian Athletics Championship 2025 in Gumi, South Korea. His winning throw of 86.40 meters not only secured top honors but also reignited the nation's sporting spirit, marking the end of a 51-year gold medal drought at the Asian meet.

Although not matching his personal and national best of 92.97m, achieved at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Arshad's final throw was more than enough to outclass a strong field of competitors. He surpassed India's Sachin Yadav, who took silver with a throw of 85.16m, and Japan's Ryohei Sakiyama, who earned bronze with 83.75m.

Pakistan's second entrant, Mohammad Yasir, finished in 8th place, managing a best effort of 75.39m.

Speaking after his golden throw — just before heading for a routine doping test — Arshad dedicated his victory to the people of Pakistan moments.

“I am thankful to the entire nation for its prayers, love, and continuous support. I am glad I could live up to the expectations and bring glory home,” he said with his signature humility. In an exclusive conversation with The News, Salman Butt, Arshad's coach and mentor, revealed the hidden challenges the champion faced during the competition. "Arshad was physically drained following Friday's intense qualifying round. For elite athletes like him, proper rest and recovery between rounds are critical. Competing on back-to-back days took a toll on his energy levels, and that reflected in his performance," he explained.

Despite the fatigue, Arshad's resilience and experience shone through. “He still managed to clear 86 meters on two separate throws within two days — an impressive feat by any standard,” said Salman.