Arshad Nadeem has been setting new records for Pakistan. He has won silver at the World Athletics Championships, and gold at the Commonwealth Games, and now become the Olympic champion. Arshad’s gold medal is more than just a victory for a country that has long-awaited global recognition in athletics.
Arshad Nadeem, who is 6 feet 3 inches tall and has a powerful build, set an Olympic record of 92.97 meters to win the javelin throw title in Paris 2024.
Arshad Nadeem’s supremacy in the javelin throw final at the Paris 2024 Olympics was undeniable. His winning throw surpassed defending champion Neeraj Chopra’s effort of 89.45m by an impressive 3.52m, leaving the Indian star to settle for silver.
To further emphasize his supremacy, Arshad’s final throw of 91.79m solidified his dominance over a strong field, including two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada.
The Early Years of Arshad Nadeem
The journey of Arshad Nadeem from a small town in Punjab (Khanewal) to becoming a famous athlete is a story of determination.
Here is a look at his path to Success:
| Phase | Detail |
| Early Life | Born on January 2, 1997, in Khanewal, Punjab, Pakistan. |
| Family | Third oldest among eight siblings |
| Early Interests | Played cricket at the state level; pursued education at Punjab College Mian Channu. |
| Sporting Shift | Took up javelin throw in 2015 after initially pursuing shot put and discus throw |
| Challenges | Faced a tough journey due to lack of state-of-the-art grounds and training facilities. |
| IAAF Scholarship | Received a scholarship in 2016 for training at the IAAF High-Performance Training Centre in Mauritius. |
| Early Achievements | · Bronze at the 2016 Asian Junior Athletics Championships (Ho Chi Minh City) · Bronze at the 2016 South Asian Games (Guwahati) · Bronze at the 2018 Asian Games (Jakarta) · South Asian Games title in 2019 |
| Olympic Debut | Tokyo 2020; first Pakistani athlete to qualify for an Olympic final in track and field, finished 5th with 84.62m. |
| Funding and Training | Received Olympic Team Spirit scholarship; trained for Paris 2024 in South Africa |
| Injuries and Setbacks | – Back injury at 2018 Commonwealth Games, finished 8th. – Underwent surgeries for elbow and knee injuries in 2021 and early 2022. – Missed 2023 Asian Championships and Asian Games due to a left knee injury. |
| Return to Competition | Finished 5th with 86.16m at the 2022 World Championships. |
| Paris 2024 Olympics | Dominated the javelin throw final with a winning throw of 93.27m, getting Pakistan’s first Olympic gold in athletics. |
| Legacy | Inspired a new generation of Pakistani athletes and became a national hero for his achievements. |
A Golden Day in Olympic History: Moments to Cherish
Pakistan was happy for Arshad Nadeem, the Olympic champion from Paris 2024 since it was the country’s first medal at the Olympics in thirty-two years.
Arshad Nadeem’s victory in Paris marked Pakistan’s first Olympic medal since 1992 and the first individual medal since 1988.
It was also the first time Nadeem defeated Neeraj Chopra in 10 meetings, though the two athletes share a friendship despite their intense competition. Nadeem had previously thrown over 90m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he set a new record with a 90.18m throw to win gold.
Nadeem became the first Pakistani athlete to win a gold medal in the javelin during the Commonwealth Games. It was also Pakistan’s first medal in athletics at the CWG in fifty-six years.
A year later, in the Budapest final of the 2023 World Athletics Championships, Arshad Nadeem faced off against Neeraj Chopra and emerged victorious with a silver medal.
The Pakistani ace recorded 87.82m, while the Indian managed 88.17m. Even so, Pakistan’s first medal at the World Athletics Championships was historic.
Pakistan Celebrates Its First Olympic Medal
When Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem won gold in Paris with a Games record throw of 92.97 meters, the nation celebrated late into the night.
It was Pakistan’s first-ever Olympic track and field medal.
After the men’s field hockey team won bronze in Barcelona 32 years ago, Nadeem’s victory overcame the nation, which is generally obsessed with cricket, and they remained up late on Thursday night to see it happen.
His brother “Shahid Nadeem” said:
“Our brother has won the gold medal and I’ve been celebrating all night. We will celebrate a party for him when he returns home!
We are a modest family who will celebrate with Kheer, and we are happy whatever Allah gives us”.
People were dancing to drums outside Nadeem’s house.
His mother said: “I am so delighted. I want to give him a hug and a kiss. He has raised Pakistan’s name, brought home a medal, and raised the country’s flag with pride.”
As the board certified the record-breaking throw, Nadeem celebrated by raising his arms in the air, drawing gasps of surprise from viewers.
Nadeem subsequently remarked, “I felt the javelin leave my hand as I threw it, and I sensed it could be an Olympic record, inshallah. Arshad won gold by defeating the current world champion and sporting hero of India, Neeraj Chopra, who finished in second place with a throw of 89.45 meters, ahead of Anderson Peters of Grenada, who grabbed third place with a throw of 88.54 meters.
The competition that has long existed between the Indian and Pakistani sports teams has been overcome by the friendship between the two medal winners, Nadeem and Chopra.
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Nadeem on his achievement.
Gold Medalist Nadeem Welcomed as a Hero on Return to Pakistan
On Sunday, August 11, the 27-year-old was welcomed as a hero as he returned home and was honored with a parade through the streets.
“Long live Arshad Nadeem!” Long Live Pakistan! was sung by thousands of people when Nadeem was greeted by his family, including his father, who wrapped a garland around his neck).
Nadeem’s achievement is even more remarkable to Pakistanis facing economic crisis and rising militancy, as he was born in a mud brick house in rural Punjab and trained with homemade javelins in wheat fields.
Mohammad Farooq, who traveled from Sargodha for the celebration, said, “I came to welcome our hero. After 40 years, Pakistan has this joyous moment, made even sweeter by Aug. 14 Independence Day celebrations.”
President Asif Ali Zardari announced that Arshad Nadeem will receive Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award, the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, for his achievement.
Nadeem shows gratitude, saying, “I thank God, my parents, and the Pakistani nation. There’s a lot of hard work from me and my coach Salman Butt behind this.”
Nadeem has made history for Pakistan and inspired the nation with their first Olympic medal of the 21st century with the support of the International Olympic Committee’s Olympic Solidarity scholarship.
The Impact of Arshad Nadeem’s Victory on Pakistan
Arshad Nadeem’s Olympic victory had a profound impact on Pakistan.
For a nation often starved of global recognition in athletics, his gold medal was a beacon of hope and a reminder that talent can emerge from even the most unlikely places.
The win caught a trend of national pride, with celebrations erupting across the country. But more importantly, it inspired countless young athletes who now see Arshad as a role model—a living proof that with dedication, anything is possible.
Furthermore, the government and private sector have since articulated an interest in investing more in sports.
Arshad’s victory isn’t just a personal achievement; it’s a catalyst for change in Pakistan’s sports field.
Conclusion
Arshad Nadeem’s gold medal at the Olympics is more than just a personal achievement.
It’s a moment of national pride that will be remembered for generations.
His determination and belief have raised Pakistan’s sports status and inspired many to chase their dreams, no matter the challenges.
His victory is a reminder that with the right mindset and support, greatness is within reach.
As we look to the future, Arshad Nadeem’s legacy will keep us inspired and motivated.
