Pakistan’s javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem created history on August 8, by clinching the country’s first-ever track and field medal at the Olympics. He claimed gold in the men’s javelin final in Paris and broke the Olympic record at the Stade de France.
The 27-year-old dethroned Neeraj Chopra defending champion of India. Nadeem celebrated the victory to the hilt after breaking the Olympic record on his second throw that landed at a stunning 92.97 metres – the best in the world this year.
Nadeem, a humble man from Mian Channu, a small town in the eastern Punjab province had come back from a knee injury early this year. Despite the dilapidated athletics facilities in the cricket-mad nation, he made history for his country .
Of Pakistan’s eight previous Olympic medals, six came in men’s hockey and one each in men’s wrestling and boxing. Nadeem’s achievement also marked the first medal by Pakistan for eight Olympics, with the last medal coming in 1992 as the men’s hockey team won bronze in Barcelona, Spain.
India’s Chopra who was ahead in qualifiers and favourite to win was apparently not in his best form. His best of 89.45 metres was also his only valid attempt as he fouled on his five other attempts. Grenada’s Anderson Peters won bronze with 88.54 metres, a redemptive moment for the two-time world champion after he failed to make it to the final at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
Pakistan ‘very proud’ of Nadeem
Fakhar Zaman, Pakistan international cricketer posted on X saying the country was “beaming with pride” over Nadeem’s historic achievement. Nadeem’s mentor and former coach, Rasheed Ahmad Saqi said he was overwhelmed with emotions after his ward won the gold medal.
“This is God’s miracle and a gift for the entire nation ahead of our independence day next week. I am so proud of Arshad,” Al Jazeera quoted him as having said.
The world record throw remains with Czechia’s Jan Zelezny, who reached a remarkable 98.48, but the new Olympic record, along with the end of a long wait for his country, drew reaction from far and wide from Nadeem’s compatriots.
