Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem clinched the gold medal in the javelin throw event at the ongoing 2024 Olympic Games in Paris on Thursday. Nadeem’s record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres not only secured Pakistan’s first Olympic gold in 40 years but also shattered the previous Olympic record of 90.57 metres set at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
He got emotional after throwing his last throw, which was also above 90 metres. His last attempt secured him the coveted medal despite his initial throw of 92.97 metres.
In the nail-biting javelin throw final, Nadeem’s remarkable performance overshadowed his competitors, including India’s Neeraj Chopra, who took the silver medal with a throw of 89.45 metres, and Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who won the bronze with a throw of 88.54 metres.
This historic victory marks a significant moment for Pakistan, as the country had last won an Olympic gold medal in the hockey event at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Nadeem’s triumph has undoubtedly filled the entire nation with immense pride and joy, reigniting hopes for a bright future in Pakistani sports.
India’s Neeraj Chopra secured a silver medal. It was not the best of the best nights for him as four out of his six throws were fouled.
Grenada’s Anderson Peters took home bronze, his first-ever Olympic medal, with an 88.54m throw.
“A huge throw from Arshad Nadeem for his second attempt in the men’s javelin throw final – and it’s legal!” the Olympic Games said.
The Pakistani thrower sees his javelin sail past the “OR” boxes in the infield – “this is a new Olympic record at 92.97m, a new Olympic record taking down the old mark from Beijing 2008!”
Nadeem had a foul throw on his first attempt, as did India’s Neeraj Chopra and Germany’s Julian Weber.
Also, read this
Gold medalist Arshad Nadeem also our child, says Neeraj Chopra’s mother
It has been 32 years since Pakistan last won an Olympic medal when the hockey team clinched a bronze in Barcelona in 1992. Nadeem, a two-time Olympian, is Pakistan’s sole hope to end the medal drought.
Nadeem impressed in the qualifier round earlier this week, throwing a solid 86.59m in his lone attempt to secure a spot in the final. The athlete has requested the nation’s prayers, crediting them as the reason for his qualification.
The final will be a thrilling battle, with reigning champion Neeraj Chopra of India looking to defend his title after a massive 89.34m throw in the qualifiers. Nadeem will reignite the Pakistan-India rivalry as he takes on Chopra, the two having shared the podium at the 2023 World Athletics Championship.
Though injuries and surgery have kept Nadeem off the field in the past year, he has a history of delivering for Pakistan in August. Tonight, he will be aiming to replicate that magic and bring home Pakistan’s first Olympic medal in over three decades.
