In a historic moment for Pakistan, Arshad Nadeem has secured the nation’s first-ever track and field medal at the Olympics, winning gold in the men’s javelin final at the Stade de France in Paris. The 27-year-old athlete’s remarkable performance on Thursday not only earned him the top spot but also saw him break the Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters, the best mark in the world this year.
Nadeem’s triumph is a monumental achievement for Pakistan, which had not previously earned an Olympic medal in track and field. His victory came at the expense of India’s Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion and a favorite to win. Chopra, despite his impressive qualification round performance, was unable to replicate his form in the final. His best throw of 89.45 meters was his only valid attempt, as he fouled on all other attempts.
The bronze medal went to Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who threw 88.54 meters. Peters, a two-time world champion, redeemed himself with this performance after failing to reach the final at the Tokyo Games three years ago.
Nadeem’s victory is particularly significant given the challenges he has faced. Earlier this year, he struggled with a knee injury, yet he managed to make a triumphant comeback despite the underdeveloped athletics facilities in Pakistan, a country traditionally more focused on cricket. His success underscores his perseverance and dedication, marking a high point in Pakistan’s Olympic history.
This gold medal is also a landmark for Pakistan’s Olympic legacy, as it ends an eight-Olympic medal drought. The last time Pakistan won an Olympic medal was in 1992, when the men’s hockey team secured bronze in Barcelona. Of Pakistan’s previous eight Olympic medals, six were in men’s hockey, and the remaining two were in wrestling and boxing.
Nadeem’s achievement not only brings pride to his country but also highlights the fact that even without the support of his government, he was able to challenge everyone else including India’s Neeraj Chopra who clinched Gold in the Tokyo Olympics. It is also a testament to the fact that winning gold is not limited to the athletes from USA, Australia or China.
