What’s the Story Behind Nadeem’s Historic 92.97m Throw?

Imama Riaz 

Rawalpindi: Arshad Nadeem has ended a 40-year Olympian drought for Pakistan, capturing the hearts of millions around the world with his extraordinary achievement.

Hailing from the small village of Mian Channu in Punjab, Pakistan, the 32-year-old athlete has made history with his remarkable performance in the men’s javelin final.

Nadeem shattered the previous Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters on his second attempt, surpassing the record set by Norway’s Andreas Thorkildsen, who threw 90.57 meters at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.

Despite some confusion on social media, where claims incorrectly suggested the record was set 118 years ago—before javelin throw was part of the Olympics—the official Olympic website confirms the previous record was set just 16 years ago.

Arshad Nadeem’s achievement is a testament to his determination and hard work, marking a historic moment for Pakistan and earning him a place in the annals of sports history.

Gold for Pakistan

“No complaints; only praise,” Coach Salman Butt said enthusiastically about the win. He described the impressive 92.97-meter throw as “unbelievable” and noted that, as many have remarked, it was “out of the syllabus.” “I knew a big throw was coming, but this was truly surprising,” Butt exclaimed.

Celebrations continue across Pakistan, with the national anthem echoing through the Paris Olympics complex. “Our brother has won the gold medal, and I’ve lost my voice from celebrating all night,” Shahid Nadeem, Arshad Nadeem’s brother, told CNN. “When he gets home, we’ll celebrate him in a way the world will never forget,” he added.

On this remarkable achievement, Neeraj Chopra’s mother also congratulated Arshad Nadeem and expressed pride in both athletes, saying, “Arshad is also our son.”

Champion’s Humble Rise

Arshad Nadeem, once a passionate cricket enthusiast from the small district of Mian Channu, Pakistan, has become a national hero and the pride of his family. Born as the third of eight siblings to Muhammad Ashraf, a mason, and Raziah Parveen, Arshad’s early life was marked by financial struggles. His father worked tirelessly to make ends meet, yet Arshad’s determination and talent shone through despite these challenges.

Initially, Arshad did not envision a career in sports. It was only when his brother encouraged him and ignited his dream that he began to pursue it seriously. Lacking the funds for proper sports equipment, Arshad improvised by giving bamboo sticks to a local craftsman, who fashioned them into javelins for him. He trained rigorously on the local grounds using these makeshift tools.

Despite the financial hurdles, Arshad’s relentless effort and dedication led him to secure a place on Pakistan’s National Athletics team, where he has proudly represented his country on the international stage. His story is a testament to the power of perseverance and passion.

Arshad Nadeem’s Incredible Journey

Witnessing Arshad Nadeem’s throw of 92.97 meters is both hard to believe and incredibly inspiring, especially considering his journey from a first throw of less than 60 meters. During his WAPDA trials, he managed a throw of 65 meters, which caught the coach’s eye and highlighted his potential—a potential that has continued to rise ever since.

Arshad Nadeem has secured numerous accolades for Pakistan in international athletics. At the 2016 South Asian Games, he won a bronze medal with a throw of 78 meters, breaking the previous national record. He also earned bronze medals at the Junior Athletic Championship and the World Islamic Games.

In 2019, he achieved a gold medal at the South Asian Games, surpassing his own record with a throw of 86.29 meters. That same year, he qualified to compete in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. Although an elbow injury and health issues related to COVID-19 affected his performance in 2021, placing him 5th in the Championship, his resilience remained evident.

In 2022, despite ongoing elbow and knee injuries, Arshad Nadeem threw 90.18 meters at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, setting a new record and winning gold.

Arshad began his athletic career in 2012, initially training in various track and field events, including the javelin throw, hammer throw, high jump, triple jump, and the 100m dash. From his early wins in school athletics to provincial and divisional competitions, and eventually making his mark on the international stage by breaking records, Arshad Nadeem has inspired many aspiring athletes.

A name that has ended the 40 years of Olympian drought of Pakistan, a name that has dominated the millions of hearts across the world, a name that rose from the small village of Pakistan, a name that mounted the peak with determination and hard work, and a name that will stay on millions of tongues and in millions of hearts for years, Arshad Nadeem; the record breaker. A Name That Will Resonate for Years.