Arshad Nadeem Secures Gold at Asian Athletics Championship

GUMI: Javelin athlete Arshad Nadeem conveyed a sincere message on Sunday as he departed for Pakistan, subsequent to his gold medal victory at the Asian Athletics Championship. He expressed gratitude to the nation, crediting prayers and dedicated effort for his achievement.

In a video message recorded before his return, Arshad voiced his honor in winning gold for the country and underscored the noteworthiness of the accomplishment.

“With the blessings of Allah and the support of the people, I emerged victorious in the final and brought recognition to Pakistan,” he stated.

Arshad, who secured first place in his initial international competition since the 2024 Paris Olympics, attributed the medal to the continuous hard work of himself and his coach, Salman Iqbal Butt.

“The gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship is a testament to the hard work of both my coach Salman Iqbal Butt and myself. I will be landing at Lahore Airport tonight,” he added.

Arshad voiced his joy and added that this was the first significant competition after the Olympics where he attained success.

“I am overjoyed that this was my first event following the Paris Olympics, and Allah Almighty has granted Pakistan victory,” he concluded.

During the championship, Arshad exhibited exceptional skill, maintaining the leading position throughout the final round.

In his third attempt, Arshad achieved an impressive 85.57-meter throw, placing him ahead of his rivals.

He continued to perform strongly, throwing 83.99 meters in his fourth attempt. After five rounds, he remained the frontrunner on the leaderboard.

In a remarkable final throw, Arshad achieved his best distance of the day, reaching 86.40 meters, solidifying his lead and ultimately winning the gold medal.

Consequently, he has become the first Pakistani in over half a century to secure a gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships, signifying Pakistan’s first gold since 1973, when the country last achieved top distinctions in javelin and 800 meters—won by Allah Dada and Muhammad Younis, respectively, during the competition held in the Philippines.