Pakistani javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has made history by winning the first individual Olympic gold medal for Pakistan in 40 years at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
This monumental achievement has brought immense joy to the nation, ending a four-decade-long wait for Olympic glory.
The 26-year-old athlete expressed his confidence after the victory, stating, “Today was my day. I was in rhythm and knew I could throw even further.” Arshad also thanked the Pakistan Olympic Association and his coach for their unwavering support.
He acknowledged the immense pressure of being Pakistan’s sole hope for a medal in 32 years but rose to the occasion with a record-setting 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.
Arshad’s historic throw of 92.97 meters not only clinched the gold medal in the men’s javelin final but also set a new Olympic record, making it Pakistan’s first individual gold medal and the country’s first medal in track and field. This achievement also represents a rare podium finish for South Asia in this discipline.
Competition Highlights:
First Round:
Arshad Nadeem’s initial attempt was marked by a no-throw, while India’s reigning champion Neeraj Chopra faced a setback with a foul throw due to a foot fault. Grenada’s Anderson Peters led the round with a strong throw of 87.87 meters.
Second Round:
In a spectacular comeback, Arshad Nadeem broke records with a 92.97-meter throw, setting a new Olympic benchmark and leaving the competition trailing. Neeraj Chopra secured second place in the round with a throw of 89.45 meters.
Third Round:
Anderson Peters was unable to improve on his initial mark, while Arshad Nadeem threw 88.72 meters, the longest of the round. Neeraj Chopra’s third attempt also fell short. Nadeem’s consistency kept him in the lead as the event progressed.
Final Throws and Victory:
In the fifth and final round, Arshad Nadeem solidified his victory with another impressive throw of 91.79 meters, securing the gold medal. Neeraj Chopra, despite struggling with his subsequent attempts, claimed the silver medal with an 89.45-meter throw. Anderson Peters from Grenada took home the bronze medal with a throw of 88.54 meters, marking his first Olympic medal.
