The night of 8th August will forever be etched in the memories of Pakistan’s sports enthusiasts. On that evening, Arshad Nadeem cemented his status as a world-class javelin thrower, shattering the Olympic record, showcasing his unparalleled skill and determination. His journey has been one of relentless perseverance.

Despite narrowly missing a podium finish at the Tokyo Olympics, Arshad remained undeterred. He turned that disappointment into motivation, and his perseverance paid off at the Paris 2024 Olympics. There, Arshad made history by surpassing the 90-metre mark in two of his throws and became the first track and field athlete from Pakistan to win an Olympic gold medal.

Until August 8th, Pakistani fans were feeling disheartened, as other athletes had underperformed and the country was still waiting for an Olympic medal. However, the mood changed dramatically during the javelin throw final. Despite a foul on his first attempt, Arshad stayed calm and focused, even as his competitors surpassed the 85-metre mark. In a spectacular second attempt, Arshad shattered the Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 metres. His extraordinary performance left the crowd at Stade de France in awe and stunned javelin enthusiasts worldwide, particularly in Pakistan, where fans erupted in celebration.

Following that historic throw, Arshad was confident he had secured the gold medal and rewritten the Olympic record books. His stunning performance put immense pressure on the remaining competitors, particularly his closest rival Neeraj Chopra, who failed to surpass the 90-metre mark and ended up fouling again and again. He, however, secured the silver medal.

After Arshad’s medal was confirmed, celebrations erupted across Pakistan, with his hometown Mian Channu at the heart of the excitement. The entire nation buzzed with pride and joy as Arshad hoisted the national flag at the Paris Olympics, becoming a national hero.

Upon his return to Pakistan, the nation’s pride Arshad got a historic welcome at Lahore Airport, where a water cannon salute and a police escort honoured his arrival. Throngs of fans eagerly awaited their hero, cheering for his victory and showering him with love. Arshad expressed his delight to the media, saying he was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. After a six-hour journey from Lahore, he arrived in Mian Channu, where fans once again showed their deep admiration.

Following his historic achievement, Arshad was awarded substantial prizes. His exceptional performance truly deserved this recognition and reward.

Arshad’s path to Olympic glory was marked by significant challenges. Battling injuries that nearly derailed his career, Arshad credited his perseverance and dedication as the factors behind his success. He also expressed deep gratitude to his coach, Salman Iqbal Butt, for his unwavering support and guidance throughout the journey.

Despite the injuries, Arshad’s dedication and consistency eventually paid off with a historic gold medal and now he is planning to start training for the World Athletics Championships and other events.

Arshad is also optimistic about surpassing the world record of 98.48 meters set by Czech athlete Jan Železný.

Arshad dedicated his gold medal to the entire nation. His achievement highlights a shift in the country’s sports landscape, proving that while cricket remains Pakistan’s most beloved sport, javelin throw has surged to become the second most-watched sport, especially as hockey’s popularity has waned.