Paris: In a stunning display of athleticism, Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s javelin superstar, clinched gold at the Paris Olympics 2024, shattering a 32-year medal drought for the nation.
Nadeem’s remarkable throw of 92.97 meters not only earned him the top spot but also set a new Olympic record in the javelin final.
Record-breaking performance
The journey to victory was anything but straightforward for Nadeem. After an unsuccessful first attempt, he rebounded with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters on his second try. This impressive distance surpassed the previous Olympic record of 90.57 meters set by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Nadeem solidified his win with a third throw of 88.72 meters.
Medal standings
Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra, despite failing to impress on his initial try, made a strong comeback with a throw of 89.45 meters, securing the silver medal. Chopra's third attempt did not count. Grenada’s Anderson Peters earned the bronze with his best throw of 88.54 meters.
Path to the final
Nadeem had qualified for the final with an 86.59-meter throw during the qualification round. His victory was particularly significant as he emerged as Pakistan’s sole medal hope after six out of seven Pakistani athletes were disqualified from their events.
A long-awaited achievement
This gold medal marks Pakistan's first Olympic victory since 1992, when the national hockey team won bronze at the Barcelona Olympics. Nadeem’s achievement not only ends a long wait but also marks a historic milestone for the country’s sporting legacy.