Arshad Nadeem made history at the Paris Olympics by clinching the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw, setting a new Olympic record in the process. Entering the Stade de France with confidence, the 27-year-old Pakistani athlete delivered a stunning performance, recording a massive 92.97 meters on his second attempt, surpassing the previous Olympic record of 90.57 meters set by Andreas Thorkildsen at the 2008 Beijing Games.
For Pakistan, Nadeem’s victory marks a monumental achievement, as it is the nation’s first Olympic gold medal outside of field hockey and its first medal of any kind since 1992. The last time Pakistan won a gold medal was in 1984, in men’s hockey at the Los Angeles Games. This win is also the country’s first individual gold medal at a Summer Olympics, making Nadeem arguably Pakistan’s greatest Olympian to date.
Overwhelmed by emotion, Nadeem prostrated on the ground in gratitude after securing the win, then draped the Pakistani flag over his shoulders in celebration. “It’s an amazing feeling … to win Olympic gold,” Nadeem shared with reporters. “I’m thankful to Allah for giving me the fruit of my labor and to all the people back home who prayed for me. I’ll try to do even better next time around.”
Nadeem’s journey to Olympic glory was not without challenges. After a commendable fifth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics, he faced multiple injuries that threatened to derail his career. However, with the support of his medical team and coach Salman Butt, he made a remarkable comeback, culminating in this historic victory. “I would like to say a special word of thanks to Dr. Ali Sher Bajwa, who helped me during surgery and rehabilitation, and to my coach Salman Butt, who ensured I came back even stronger,” Nadeem added. He also dedicated his gold medal as an “Independence Day gift” to Pakistan.
Meanwhile, the Stade de France was abuzz with excitement as India’s Neeraj Chopra, the defending Olympic champion and fan favorite, battled for a top spot. Despite the distractions of the evening’s other events, including the women’s long jump and men’s 200m final, the javelin competition saw intense focus as top contenders like Germany’s Julien Weber and Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch also vied for glory.
Chopra had a mixed performance, starting strong but faltering with four fouls in his initial throws. His best effort of 89.45 meters, a season’s best, secured him the silver medal, while Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed the bronze with a throw of 87.87 meters.
The turning point of the competition came with Nadeem’s extraordinary throw. As the stadium quieted after the men’s 200m final, Nadeem, the fourth thrower in the lineup, unleashed a throw that soared through the Parisian sky, landing beyond the 90-meter mark. The stadium erupted in cheers as Nadeem realized the magnitude of his achievement, raising his arms in victory as his coach celebrated in the stands.
Despite the pressure from his competitors, Nadeem remained unshaken, consistently delivering impressive throws, though none matched his record-breaking second attempt. Chopra’s final attempts were unsuccessful, and Nadeem sealed his victory with a final throw of 91.79 meters, further solidifying his dominance in the event.
Arshad Nadeem’s historic win is a defining moment for Pakistan, elevating him to legendary status in the nation’s sporting history. As the javelin competition concluded, the world witnessed a new Olympic champion in Nadeem, who now stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration for future generations of athletes.