Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and sprinter Faiqa Riaz left Lahore to participate in the Paris Olympics 2024.
Arshad will compete in the group round on August 6 and the final on August 8, while Faiqa Riaz will compete in the preliminary round of the women’s 100m race on August 3.
Three shooters and two swimmers from Pakistan are also participating. The mega event will start on July 26.
Olympian javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has revealed that he has not had a world class javelin since seven or eight years.
Talking to Geo news, Arshad Nadeem said “It is very important to have a javelin of international standard. It improves the game and maintains uniformity in training because if you train with local javelin and go abroad with international javelin, it makes a difference in the performance.”
Arshad then said his world level javelin is damaged.
“I am training with a local javelin for the Paris Olympics. There is a risk of injury from using local and non-standard javelins, I have undergone surgery on my right knee last month after one on my left knee and right elbow.”
The beloved athlete states that a world level javelin costs between Rs 700,000 – 800,000. “For international competitions, there should be at least five or six javelins. A local javelin costs 1 to 1.5 lac rupees but they are not of a good quality.”
Stressing that there is a “world of difference” between his and Indian thrower Neeraj Chopra’s training, Arshad revealed that he does not have a ground available to train continuously.
“After last night’s surgery, I have also started rehab and will be back in full rhythm in a month. My current target is the Paris Olympics for which we have qualified for the second time. There will be a couple of events to prepare for before that and I am also going to South Africa for training.”
Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold and Arshad Nadeem’s record achievement as the first Pakistani to secure a medal in the World Athletics Championship are milestones in their respective careers.
When a journalist asked Chopra’s mother about his win over Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, trying to give an India vs Pakistan narrative to the historic moment, her answer was all love and has gone viral on social media.
“Look, all have come to play in the field. One or the other will definitely win. So there is no question of being from Pakistan or Haryana,” she said.
“It is a matter of happiness. Even if that Pakistani had won, there would’ve been great happiness,” she added.
While Neeraj and Nadeem engage in fierce competition on the field, both young athletes share a profound camaraderie beyond the arena. Beyond the thrill of rivalry, their off-field friendship has been evident through mutual appreciation and support on various occasions. The heartwarming connection serves as a poignant reminder of how the spirit of sportsmanship can not only bridge the gap between nations but also serve as a potent tool in minimizing conflicts.
In February 2016, the two competed against each other for the first time in the South Asian Games at Guwahati. While Chopra won the gold with a throw of 82.23, Nadeem took the bronze with 78.33 m. The second time the duo faced each other was at the Asian Junior Championships in Vietnam, where Chopra won the silver with a throw of 77.60 m and Nadeem claimed the bronze with 73.40. The India-Pakistan rivalry was seen at the World U-20 Championship in Poland, where Nadeem missed out on qualifying for the final with a throw of 67.17 to finish at the 15th spot. Chopra won that U-20 world title with 86.48, setting a new world U-20 record.
Star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem made history on Sunday when he became the first Pakistani to win the first-ever silver medal for his country at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest, Hungary with his best 87.82-meter throw.
India’s Neeraj Chopra was able to secure the gold medal with his best throw of 88.17 meters.
Caretaker Prime Minister Anwaar ul Haq Kakar took to X (former Twitter) and congratulated Arshad Nadeem as he became the first Pakistani to win a medal at the World Athletics Championship.
It was the Nadeem’s third throw that was the biggest breakthrough as it reached as far as 87.82 meters — his season’s best.
Arshad Nadeem celebrated his win by stating, “What a day! Tiring yet rewarding. Like to thank Allah for this giving me the ability to go this far. This was the first time in the history of Pakistan that any Pakistani athlete won a medal at the World athletics championships.”
Pakistani cricketer and former team captain Mohammad Hafeez said, “Proud of u.”
Hassan Cheema, selection committee secretary and manager analytics and team strategy for the national cricket team men’s side, said: “Grew up watching Diamond Leagues & World Championships on Super Sports without ever expecting to see a Pakistani face in it ever. Today we’ve got a medal!! ”
Pakistanis all around the world are celebrating this win and are looking forward to many more.
Pakistani athlete Arshad Nadeem has won a silver medal at the World Athletics championship in Hungary. Twelve athletes, including Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and India’s Neraj Chopra, are competing in the javelin throw at the 2023 Athletics World Championships.
Neeraj Chopra secured the Gold medal with a throw of 88.17 meters.
What a day! Tiring yet rewarding. Like to thank Allah for this giving me the ability to go this far. This was the first time in the history of Pakistan that any Pakistani athlete won a medal at the World athletics championships pic.twitter.com/DaZDeRNyq7
— Arshad Nadeem (@ArshadOlympian1) August 28, 2023
In the end, there was an intense rivalry between Arshad Nadeem and Niraj Chopra, who won gold with a throw of 88.17 meters, while the national athlete took silver.
Read More: Pakistan clinches thrilling victory against Afghanistan in 2nd ODI by one wicket
Arshad Nadeem threw 74.80m in the first attempt 82.81m in the second attempt, 87.82m in the third, and 87.15 in the fourth.
In the final throw of the field championship, Arshad threw 81.86 meters.
Arshad Nadeem has already qualified for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Pakistani Arshad Nadeem qualifies for finals of the men’s javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships 2023, being held in Budapest. He has also qualified for the Paris Olympics with a throw of 86.79m in the final attempt.
Nadeem’s first attempt was 70.63m while the second was 81.53m.
Nadeem recorded his career’s best throw of 90.18 metre in the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham which is also a record throw of the quadrennial event.
India’s Neeraj Chopra has also qualified for the finals. of the men’s javelin throw event at the World Athletics Championships 2023, which is being held in Budapest. The Olympics gold medallist recorded a throw of 88.77m in his first attempt itself, which was enough to secure his place in the final.
It also happens to be among Neeraj’s best throw of the year, surpassing his previously recorded 88.67m and 87.66m attempts in the Doha Diamond League and Lausanne Diamond League respectively.
A total of 37 javelin throwers have been divided into two groups, with a total of 12 athletes to qualify for the final. Nadeem was in Group B along with world number one Jakub Vadlejch, who also automatically qualifies for finals in his second thrown of 83.50 meters. Meanwhile, Neeraj Chopra was in Group A. The Automatic qualifying mark for the final was 83 metres or at least the top 12.
The final of javelin throw will be held on Sunday, August 27.
Arshad Nadeem wins another gold medal for Pakistan
Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem has won a gold medal in the javelin throw competition at the 2022 Islamic Solidarity Games.
The 25-year-old athlete did a record throw of 88.55m to claim the medal.
Qatar’s Ahmed Magour won the silver medal with a throw of 74.28m while Iran’s Ali Fathi Ganji won bronze with a throw of 71.24m.
The Islamic Solidarity Games are being held in Konya, Turkey.
Earlier on August 7, Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the javelin throw competition at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham. He won with a massive throw of 90.18m to beat defending world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who took Silver with 88.64m throw.
Arshad has won four gold medals for Pakistan internationally, including the Imam Reza Cup, the South Asian Games, and the Commonwealth Games.
Punjab Sports Minister Rai Taimur Khan has announced the immediate start of the construction of a stadium in the village of national hero Arshad Nadeem.
The minister also said that he would welcome Arshad Nadeem himself. He added that a grand ceremony will be organised in honour of all the athletes who won medals at the Commonwealth Games (CWG) 2022, including Nadeem.
He said they have facilitated Arshad Nadeem and will continue doing the same in the future. Further, the minister said that the provincial sports board will continue to take vigorous measures for the promotion of sports.
Arshad Nadeem made the nation proud by claiming the gold medal in the ongoing CWS in England after a record-breaking effort.
In the fifth attempt, the Khanewal-born star set a new CWG record of a 90.18m throw and became the first Pakistani to hold the record.
Following the victory, Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa and others congratulated him.
Director General Pakistan Sports Board Asif Zaman also announced a reward of Rs50 lakh for Arshad Nadeem.
Sindh Provincial Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah said: “Before the next Olympics, I am ready to send Nadeem, who won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games, to Germany for training at my own expense for two years.”
Pakistan’s star athlete Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the javelin throw competition at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham on Sunday (August 7).
The 25-year-old won with a massive throw of 90.18m to beat defending world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada, who took Silver with 88.64m throw.
The Pakistani athlete hailing from Mian Channu participated in the event despite elbow and knee injuries.
“My preparation is really good despite elbow and knee injury, for which treatment is ongoing,” said Arshad Nadeem while talking to Samaa News before the final.
Arshad Nadeem earned Pakistan its first track and field gold medal after 60 years.
It was Pakistan’s second gold in the ongoing Commonwealth Games. Pakistani weightlifter Nooh Dastagir Butt bagged the first gold for Pakistan.
Prominent personalities, including President Dr Arif Alvi and Prime Minister (PM) Shehbaz Sharif, congratulated Arshad Nadeem for bringing a gold medal home.
Read more – Hey Pak govt, aren’t we sporty enough for you?
“What amazing news to wake up to early this morning! Arshad Nadeem has done Pakistan proud by winning the first gold medal in Commonwealth Games,” Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said in a tweet.
President of Pakistan Dr Arif Alvi also congratulated Arshad Nadeem for “making history”.
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa also congratulated Nadeem.
Have a look at other congratulatory messages:
Sports in any country is a celebrated sector of society. It brings pride and recognition to a country. Sports are symbolic of life. Life demands discipline, resilience, respect, compassion, teamwork, and character. Sports help develop those skills to apply on the playing field and in life. In any country, the state invests in their sports and the individuals playing them. Pakistan does just the opposite of it.
Pakistan chooses to forget its most talented and has a way of neglecting its sportsmen and sportswomen. Cricket and our men in green are a source of continuous pride for the country but there are other sports and players who too wear green with pride, and give it their all to bring us glory.
Our teams have gone to the Commonwealth Games and the Olympics but the players participating tell the same stories of negligence and their individual hard work. So what is that the players say? One: They need the state to pay attention to them. Two: Recognise the talent and show confidence in them when they are trying to develop their skills and polish themselves for the better. Three: Give them better training so that they can perform well and bring gold, silver, and bronze medals back home. Four: Treat them as equal and as important as they would treat a person playing cricket. Five: Don’t take credit for our individual wins as you have not invested in us. They ask the state to actually invest in them so that they can stand tall amongst the best.
What does the state do instead? The state has been in a habit of neglecting the raw and the talented, barring them from the opportunities which could have done wonders for the games, players, and the country. Yes, in recent times we see a prime minister congratulating a gold medalist but is congratulations enough? Don’t they deserve better training, better chances, and a better future? We can only hope that the state realises that mixed fortunes become the fate of many players in Pakistan because they were left out at some point. We can only hope that the state realises that every sport matters, every game matters, and every player is worth fighting for and that he and she deserves to get the best facilities. May our talented players keep making us proud.