Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has achieved a historic milestone by winning the first individual Olympic gold medal for Pakistan after 40 years at the Paris Olympics.
The 26-year-old javelin thrower's remarkable achievement has sent waves of joy across the country, ending a 40-year wait for Olympic glory.
In an emotional statement after his victory, Arshad expressed his confidence, stating, “Today was my day. I was in rhythm and knew I could throw even further.”
Nadeem expressed gratitude to the Pakistan Olympic Association and his coach for their unwavering support. He acknowledged the immense pressure of being Pakistan's only hope for a medal after 32 years but rose to the occasion with a throw of 92.97 meters. The last time Pakistan secured an Olympic medal was in 1992 when the national hockey team won bronze in Barcelona.
Earlier, Arshad Nadeem achieved a historic milestone for Pakistan, clinching the gold medal in the men's javelin final at the Paris Olympics 2024 and setting a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters.
In a dramatic final that captivated audiences worldwide, Arshad Nadeem delivered an extraordinary performance, ending Pakistan's 32-year wait for an Olympic gold medal. This victory not only marks Pakistan’s first individual gold medal and first medal in track and field but also highlights a rare podium finish for South Asia in this discipline.
First throw round
Arshad Nadeem’s initial attempt in the javelin final was marred by a no-throw, and India’s reigning champion Neeraj Chopra also faced a setback with a foul throw due to a foot fault. Grenada’s Anderson Peters led the round with a throw of 87.87 meters, setting a strong early pace.
Second throw round
In the second round, Arshad Nadeem made a spectacular comeback with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters, setting a new Olympic benchmark. His impressive performance left the competition trailing, with Neeraj Chopra securing the second position for the round with a throw of 89.45 meters.
Nadeem’s remarkable feat solidified his lead as the final approached.
Third throw round
The third round saw Anderson Peters unable to improve on his initial mark, while Arshad Nadeem threw 88.72 meters, the longest of this round. Neeraj Chopra’s third attempt was also a miss. With this performance, Nadeem maintained his top position and demonstrated consistent excellence throughout the event.
Final throws and victory
In the fifth and final round, Arshad Nadeem delivered another impressive throw of 91.79 meters, further cementing his lead and securing the gold medal. Neeraj Chopra, who struggled with his subsequent throws, settled for the silver medal with an 89.45-meter throw.
Grenada’s Anderson Peters earned the bronze medal with a throw of 88.54 meters, marking his first Olympic medal.
