Paris, 8 August 2024 (TDI): Star athlete Arshad Nadeem ended Pakistan’s 40-year drought for Olympic gold with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters in the final of the Javelin Throw event in Paris on Thursday.
Arshad landed two 90-meter-plus throws in his six attempts, breaking his personal-best record of 90.18m, and becoming the only javelin thrower in history to achieve this feat.
The defending champion India’s Neeraj Chopra looked off the mark tonight with 4 foul attempts. Despite that, he managed to land an 89.45-metre throw in his second attempt (of six) to secure a silver medal. Grenada’s Anderson Peters won a bronze medal with a throw of 88.54m.
Read more: Arshad Nadeem Vies for Gold in Javelin Throw Final
First Individual Olympic Gold for Pakistan
This is Pakistan’s first individual gold and fourth overall at the Games since the 1948 edition. The country’s last medal came in 1992 when the national hockey team secured a bronze in Barcelona.
Arshad’s gold brings Pakistan’s total Olympic medal count to 11, including four golds, as many bronzes, and three silvers. Of these, only three were won by individual athletes, while the remaining eight, including three golds, were claimed by the national hockey team.
Arshad Nadeem first came to the fore when he finished 5th at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. However, his true potential was realised when Arshad Nadeem won gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and silver at the World Championships in 2023.
During the qualification round on Tuesday, Arshad threw his first throw of 86.59 metres, well over the 84-metre qualifying mark, to advance to the medal round. His throw was the third farthest followed by India’s Neeraj Chopra (89 metres) and Grenada’s Anderson Peters (88 metres).
Read more: Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem Qualifies for Javelin Throw Finals
Prime Minister Congratulates Arshad on His Achievement
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif congratulated the entire nation on Arshad Nadeem’s historic achievement.
“Nadeem not only secured the gold but also set a new world record in the javelin throw event,” the premier said in a statement issued by his office.
PM Sehbaz expressed immense pride in Nadeem’s achievement, calling it a beautiful gift to the nation.
“This victory will serve as an inspiring example for young athletes, proving that true dedication to a goal inevitably leads to success.”
Sindh Govt Announces Massive Reward
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has announced a massive reward of Rs50 million for Arshad Nadeem for his remarkable achievement at the Games.
The provincial government’s deputy information secretary and Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab announced this on X (formerly Twitter).
“Congratulations Arshad. Fortunate to have witnessed this historic moment with the public. Gold medal for Pakistan in Olympics after 40 years. PPP’s Sindh Govt will give Rs 5 Crore to Arshad,” Wahab said.
He also announced that the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) will establish the “Arshad Nadeem Athletics Academy” in the provincial capital.
