Arshad Nadeem Aims for World Athletics Championship Gold

LAHORE: Following his recent victory at the Asian Athletics Championships, Pakistani Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem has identified the upcoming World Athletics Championship in Japan as his primary objective. The event is scheduled to commence on September 13, 2025.

During a training session at Punjab Stadium in Lahore, Arshad expressed his enthusiasm regarding his recent accomplishments, including his recognition in Forbes’ Asia 30 Under 30 list.

“It brings me immense joy whenever Pakistan’s name is highlighted because of my efforts. I am consistently working towards securing additional medals and bringing further prestige to my nation,” Arshad stated.

“My inclusion in Forbes 30 Under 30 is a proud moment for the entire country. I request everyone to keep me in their prayers so I can continue to achieve victories for Pakistan.”

Arshad mentioned that preparations are well underway for the competitions leading up to the World Championship in September.

“I have resumed training and intend to participate in two to three events prior to the World Championship. We are also considering training camps in England. I am focused on rectifying the errors I made during the Asian Athletics Championship to enhance my performance,” he added.

Arshad’s gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship was a significant milestone for Pakistan, marking the end of a 50-year wait for a gold medal at the event.

Training and Competition Schedule

His coach, Salman Iqbal Butt, detailed the upcoming training and competition schedule, designed to maintain Arshad’s peak condition.

“Arshad is currently training in Lahore. We are in the process of submitting his entry for a competition in Switzerland and are planning a month-long training camp in England.

He is also slated to compete in the Diamond League season finale in Poland before the World Championship in September. Our aim is to ensure Arshad is in optimal form for this major event,” Butt concluded.

Recognition and Achievements
  • Arshad was included in Forbes’ ’30 Under 30′ South Asia list for 2025.
  • He is the first Pakistani track-and-field athlete to receive this honor.
  • He previously set an Olympic javelin record with a throw of 92.97 meters at the Paris Olympics.

Forbes acknowledged his performance as exceptional and celebrated him as a pioneer for South Asian athletes.

To date, he has secured five gold medals in major competitions. Other international athletes on Forbes’ list include Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown and Indian chess player Gukesh Dommaraju.

Arshad initially gained prominence with his gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, followed by a silver medal at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

His achievements include four gold, one silver, and four bronze medals across various events, such as the Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Islamic Solidarity Games, South Asian Games, and Asian U20 Championships.

His next step involves training in England in preparation for the World Athletics Championships in September, where he hopes to secure his first gold medal in this competition.