Arshad Nadeem is Pakistan’s first individual medalist since boxer Hussain Shah won a middle-weight bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Pakistan’s history-making javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is thrilled that his rivalry with Indian superstar Neeraj Chopra is gaining as much attention as the cricketing battles between the two neighboring countries. He believes that this growing rivalry will inspire young athletes in both nations. Nadeem outperformed Chopra for the first time in their 11 encounters, claiming the Olympic gold medal with a sensational record throw of 92.97m on Thursday night. Chopra secured the silver with a season’s best throw of 89.45m, adding another chapter to their storied rivalry.
“The rivalry is definitely there in cricket and other sports. But it’s also a positive thing for the young people in both countries who look up to us and their sports icons, motivating them to bring glory to their nations,” said the 27-year-old Nadeem after becoming the first Pakistani to win an individual Olympic gold medal.
He is also Pakistan’s first individual medalist since the 1988 Seoul Olympics, where boxer Hussain Shah earned a bronze.
Despite being fierce competitors on the field, Nadeem and Chopra share a strong friendship off it. A few months ago, when Nadeem appealed for funds on social media to purchase a quality javelin, Chopra was among those who stepped forward to offer their support.
Standing over six feet tall, Nadeem was the underdog in Thursday night’s final, where Chopra was the top qualifier.
However, the Pakistani athlete, who had won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with a throw exceeding 90m, stunned the high-caliber field with two throws over 90m, one of which set a new Olympic record. The previous record was held by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen, who threw 90.57m at the 2008 Beijing Games.
“I am thankful to the nation. Everyone prayed for me, and I was hopeful of doing well. Over the years, I suffered a knee injury, but I recovered and worked hard on my fitness. I was even confident of throwing beyond 92.97m, but that throw was enough for me to get the gold,” Nadeem said about his performance.
“I will continue to work hard and give my best in the days and months to come. I am aiming to surpass this mark as well.”
Nadeem also shared insights into his early years, revealing that he initially started as a cricketer before trying table tennis. He eventually turned to javelin throw after being told he had the right build for it.
“I was a cricketer, I played table tennis, and I also participated in athletics events. But my coach told me I have a very good physique for javelin throw, so I focused solely on javelin from 2016,” he said.
“People say my technique resembles that of a fast bowler more than a javelin thrower, but I’m happy with my action and run-up. That’s due to my early experience as a cricket bowler,” he quipped.
Hailing from Khanewal village in the Punjab region, Nadeem’s early training was supported by his village, and he credits that support for helping him stay grounded while achieving new milestones for his country.
“I come from a farming village, and every time I win a medal, I think about my origins. That motivates me to do better. It’s why I’ve remained humble, and it’s why I want to achieve even more success.
“I had to go through very tough times to reach this stage,” he admitted.
Source: sports.ndtv.com
