Javelin star outshines all

Express Tribune

3 days ago

Olympic record-maker Arshad Nadeem celebrates after winning the Asian Athletics Championship javelin throw gold medal in Gumi, South Korea. Photo Courtesy: ATHLETICS FEDERATION OF PAK
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Arshad Nadeem may have created the Olympic record and claimed gold, but it was the Asian Athletics Championship title that had eluded him — until Saturday afternoon.
The Mian Channu-based superstar continued his impressive run as one of the biggest names in the world of athletics when he took the javelin gold medal at the Asian Championship with a throw of 86.40 metre in Gumi, South Korea on Saturday.
"Another gold for Pakistan! Alhamdulillah!" Arshad posted his comments on his social media pages after the win. "This victory belongs to the Almighty first ...His blessings, His will. Without His grace, none of this would be possible.
"To my coaches, my team, my family, and every Pakistani who prayed for me — this medal is yours. Your support fuels my journey.
"Let's keep rising for our beloved nation! Insha'Allah, more to come."
This was Arshad's third appearance at the Asian Athletics Championship, and this has been his third Asian title - the last two included bronze medals in the Asian Junior Athletics Championships in 2016 and the Asian Games in 2018.
The last time Arshad competed at the Asian Championships, he had finished sixth with a throw of 78.55 m in 2019.
But today he is a different man.
The 2025 Asian Championship was Arshad's comeback to international competition after his historic feat at the Paris Olympics in August when he created the Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters and grabbed the gold medal too. This made him the first individual athlete from Pakistan to win a gold at the Olympics and the first gold medal to come to Pakistan after 40 years.
In Gumi, amid the cheers from Pakistani fans and 'Dil Dil Pakistan' blasting at the stadium, Arshad was prepared to consolidate his gold medal, being the only thrower who had crossed the 90m mark.
Besides Arshad, Muhammad Yasir Sultan was also looking to defend his bronze medal out of the 12 finalists.
The possibility of Pakistan finishing with two podium places was enticing.
Arshad was a clear favourite to win, and by his expressions, he was looking to touch the 90m mark again, while Yasir was aiming at hitting the 80m target.
However, that was not meant to be for either of them.
Arshad looked a little nervous as his javelin only reached the 75.64m mark. Arshad was leading the pack from the get-go, even finishing the qualifying round at the top with a throw of 86.34m on Friday.
His second, third, fourth, and then fifth attempts were all unsatisfactory by his standard, 76.80m, 85.57m, 83.99m, and 83.44m despite leading the competition most of the afternoon except for facing threat from India's Sachin Yadav.
Arshad's best throw was his sixth and last attempt.
Meanwhile, Yadav took the silver for India, in the absence of the Paris Olympics silver medallist Neeraj Chopra.
His best was 85.16m, Japan's Yuta Sakiyama finished through with 83.75m after a close competition with Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.
Meanwhile, it was a heartbreak for Yasir as he settled on eighth place with 75.39m far from his personal best of 79.93m, which he had achieved at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championship, which secured him a bronze.
Arshad was also congratulated by the President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
The Radio Pakistan reported: In his message, the President said the entire nation is proud of Arshad Nadeem's outstanding performance. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif in a statement, said Arshad Nadeem continues to make the nation proud. He said Arshad Nadeem's hard work, dedication, and remarkable success serve as an inspiring example for young athletes.
Medal to be dedicated to Pak Army: Arshad's mother
While Arshad got the job done in Gumi, his parents back home are proud of his performance.
"My son will continue to make Pakistan proud. I am grateful to everyone who prayed for my son's success. My son won this medal, and this medal is dedicated to Pakistan Army. It is a tribute to all the army men who sacrificed their lives for this country," she told a local news television channel.
She added that his entire family will celebrate his return home, "I'll cook whatever he wants to eat. He loves to eat kheer."
She continued to congratulate the nation for its success at the Asian Championship.