Arshad Nadeem secured a historic achievement as the first Pakistani to claim a silver medal at the World Athletics Championship

LAHORE: Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s leading javelin thrower, etched his name into history on Sunday as he became the first Pakistani athlete to secure a medal at the World Athletics Championships.

This remarkable feat was accomplished when he gracefully claimed the silver medal, achieving an extraordinary throw of 87.82 meters during the men’s javelin throw final held in Budapest, Hungary. Neeraj Chopra, the Olympic champion from India, solidified his position as one of the most exceptional athletes in Indian sports history by securing a gold medal. Having already triumphed in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Chopra further secured a gold at the grand stage in Budapest with an impressive throw of 88.17 meters. Jakub Vadlejch from the Czech Republic secured the bronze medal with a throw of 86.67 meters, adding to the excitement of the event.

Arshad, who had returned to the international circuit after a year-long hiatus due to fitness concerns, showcased remarkable form before a captivated stadium audience. Following their impressive performances in the qualification phase, where both Arshad and Neeraj Chopra emerged at the top of their respective groups, the final showdown evolved into a gripping battle between these two outstanding athletes.

Chopra set the tone with a splendid throw of 88.17 meters after an initial foul in the first round. Arshad, after two attempts measuring 74.80 and 82.81 meters, delivered an exceptional throw of 87.82 meters in his third attempt. This crucial throw ultimately secured him the silver medal, marking Pakistan’s first-ever medal in the history of the World Championships. Among Arshad’s top eight attempts were throws measuring 87.15, a non-valid attempt, and 81.86 meters.

During the previous World Championship held in Eugene, Arshad had secured the fifth position.

“Arshad’s performance was truly remarkable. By clinching the first-ever medal for our country in the history of the World Athletics Championships, he has made the entire nation immensely proud,” remarked Major General (retd) Mohammad Akram Sahi, the president of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP), speaking to The News directly from Hungary.

“Considering his year-long absence from international competitions, achieving this feat was no small feat. The dedication he displayed in improving his fitness, coupled with his composure and outstanding form displayed here, is nothing short of incredible,” stated Sahi, who is also a former international athlete. “He is an invaluable national asset, and we are committed to his well-being. My heartfelt congratulations to the entire nation for this monumental success; it will undoubtedly contribute to the advancement of athletics within our country,” Sahi expressed.

Meanwhile, former coach Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari, who guided Arshad’s training for eight years and steered him to the Tokyo Olympics, commended Arshad’s exceptional performance in the face of challenging weather conditions.

“I offer my salute to him. He executed a splendid performance despite the sweltering conditions. The pressure was on both Arshad and Chopra, yet the outcome turned out to be fantastic for Pakistan,” praised Bukhari.

“While Arshad must have identified areas where he could have performed better, today’s achievement marks only the beginning. With greater effort, he can achieve even more remarkable results in the future,” Bukhari added.

Meanwhile, Arshad’s current coach Salman Butt expressed gratitude for the remarkable accomplishment. “This victory is a divine gift. Considering he underwent a year of rehabilitation and returned to play, I was hopeful for a bar of gold, but we are still immensely thankful to God. Arshad has etched his name in history,” remarked Butt, speaking to The News from Budapest.