Arshad Nadeem has etched his name in history by winning gold in the men’s javelin final at the Olympics, marking Pakistan’s first-ever track and field medal and ending a 32-year medal drought for the nation. The 27-year-old achieved this remarkable feat at the Stade de France in Paris, where he not only claimed gold but also set a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters during his second attempt.
This victory came at the expense of defending champion Neeraj Chopra from India, who struggled to find his form and recorded a best throw of 89.45 meters, his only valid attempt among six. Anderson Peters of Grenada secured the bronze medal with a throw of 88.54 meters, bouncing back after failing to qualify for the finals at the Tokyo Games three years prior.
Nadeem’s triumph is particularly significant given the challenges he faced, including a knee injury earlier this year and the lack of adequate athletics facilities in cricket-centric Pakistan. His accomplishment marks the first Olympic medal for Pakistan in eight Games, the last being a bronze in men’s hockey in 1992.
The news of Nadeem’s victory has ignited a wave of pride throughout Pakistan. Cricket player Fakhar Zaman expressed the nation’s joy on social media, while Nadeem’s mentor and former coach, Rasheed Ahmad Saqi, shared his emotional reaction, calling it a miracle and a gift for the nation ahead of Independence Day. He also voiced his unwavering belief that Nadeem would win and break records.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Nadeem, stating, “You’ve made the whole nation proud.”