Arshad Nadeem wins javelin gold for Pakistan

PARIS: Arshad Nadeem won gold in the Olympic men’s javelin on Thursday, beating defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India to clinch Pakistan’s first Olympic medal in athletics.

Nadeem threw his arms up in celebration after breaking the Olympic record on his second throw with a stunning 92.97 metres that put him sixth on the all-time list.

“When I threw the javelin, I got the feel of it leaving my hand, and sensed it could be an Olympic record, inshallah (God willing),” Nadeem said.

He knelt down and kissed the ground after Chopra’s failed last attempt sealed his victory. The Pakistani finished fifth in Tokyo, but improved to take silver at last year’s world championships.

Nadeem’s throw was Pakistan’s first individual gold medal and first track and field medal and the first medal since 1992 Olympics.

Chopra, the strongest by far in qualifying and favourite to retain his title, struggled. His throw of 89.45, which won him the silver medal, was his only valid effort as he fouled on his five other attempts.

“I’m not that happy with my performance today and also my technique and runway was not that good,” said Chopra, who has struggled with a groin injury.

Grenada’s Anderson Peters took bronze with 88.54, a moment of redemption for the twice world champion who failed to make the final at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Peters hurled the javelin 88.54m on his fourth attempt to knock Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, who won silver in Tokyo, into fourth place.

Nadeem, who compared his Olympic clash with Chopra to the two nations’ rivalry in cricket, has previously said it is challenging being a non-cricket athlete in Pakistan as resources and facilities for his sport are scarce.

Congratulations pour in

Government officials, politicians and others congratulated the athlete for the historic moment.

“Bravo Arshad. History made!” wrote Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. “You’ve made the whole nation proud young man,” the premier said.

President Asif Ali Zardari, in a statement shared by his party, said, “Arshad Nadeem’s win is the entire nation’s win. You have made us proud by winning a medal for Pakistan at the Paris Olympics,” the president said, wishing the athlete further success in the future.

Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi, in a statement shared on X, said Nadeem had “performed a historic and an unforgettable feat” by hoisting Pakistan’s flag at the Paris Olympics. Calling Nadeem a “national hero”, Naqvi said the athlete’s “hard work and the nation’s prayers paid off”

PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari congratulated Nadeem, highlighting: “What amazing talent the youth of Pakistan have to offer.”

Planning Minister Ahsan Iqbal expressed the hope that Nadeem’s victory would “become a turning point for the revival of sports in the country”.

“This is your success, Arshad Nadeem,” the PTI wrote. “From the streets of Mian Channu to the historic gold medal for Pakistan in Olympic Games!” it said, referring to the player’s hometown.