Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem on Thursday won the gold medal for the country after 40 years, breaking the Olympic record with a monstrous 92.97m throw in the men’s javelin final at Paris 2024. It was the sixth-longest throw of all time, and Asia’s best ever in the Olympics.
The 27-year-old said that his gold medal was an “Independence Day gift for the country”.
Arshad’s gold is Pakistan’s only gold medal outside of hockey, which they last won 40 years ago in Los Angeles in 1984. The javelin thrower became his country’s first medallist since 1992 when it won a bronze medal in men’s hockey in Barcelona.
“It’s an amazing feeling … to win Olympic gold,” a beaming Arshad told reporters. “I’m thankful to Allah for giving me the fruit of my labor and to all the people back home who prayed for me. I’ll try to do even better next time around.”
He also thanked Dr Ali Sher Bajwa and his coach Salman Butt who he said “ensured I came back even stronger and better,” he said.
Neeraj Chopra from India secured the silver medal with an 89.45m throw. Grenada’s Anderson Peters took home bronze, his first-ever Olympic medal, with an 88.54m throw.
Celebrations in hometown
The residents of Mian Channu are celebrating with immense joy following Arshad Nadeem’s historic achievement at the Paris Olympics.
Arshad Nadeem’s mother expressed her happiness, stating that the prayers of the nation have been answered. Arshad Nadeem’s brother also spoke about his sibling’s dedication, noting that despite limited resources, Arshad managed to set a record with his throw at the Paris Olympics. He also requested the government to fulfill its promise of building a sports ground in their village.
Arshad nadeem village’s video after he won the gold medal
byu/Bobsytheking1 inpakistan
Nadeem is no stranger to making Olympic history, at Tokyo 2020 he was the first Pakistani athlete to qualify for an Olympic athletics final, eventually finishing fifth.
‘You’ve made the whole nation proud’
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has congratulated Arshad Nadeem on making history for the country. “You’ve made the whole nation proud,” he said in a post on X.
PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto-Zardari congratulated Nadeem, said: “What amazing talent the youth of Pakistan have to offer.”
Political parties’ accounts also celebrated the victory. “This is your success, Arshad Nadeem,” the PTI wrote. “From the streets of Mian Channu to the historic gold medal for Pakistan in the Olympic Games!” it said, referring to the player’s hometown.
‘Etched name in history’
Pakistani cricketers and celebrities were also quick to celebrate the historic Olympics win. The Pakistan Cricket Board shared a video of players erupting into cheers as they saw Nadeem’s gigantic throw.
The official account of the Olympic Games joined in the celebrations and called Arshad Nadeem the “Pride of Pakistan.”
Sports journalist Faiza Lakhani was ecstatic over the golden victory and thanked Arshad Nadeem for the lifetime memories and joy for Pakistanis.
Who is Arshad Nadeem?
Born on January 2, 1997, in a small village near the city of Mian Channu in southern Punjab state, Arshad Nadeem is the third of seven siblings. Arshad grew up in a household that struggled to make ends meet. The only source of income was his father, Muhammad Ashraf, a retired construction worker.
As a child, Nadeem towered over his classmates. By the time he was 14, he was almost six feet (183cm) tall. It was a “gift”, Shahid said, from their father, who is also more than six feet tall.
Though cricket was his first passion, he quit the sport after taking up the javelin, describing the decision as “the best thing that happened to me.”
Key Achievements
- Gold – Olympic Games 2024
- Silver – World Athletics Championships 2023
- Gold – Commonwealth Games 2022