Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s national hero in javelin throw, shared the moment when he knew he would win gold—after just his second throw. Speaking at the Independence Day celebration at Governor House, Peshawar, Arshad recalled how his journey from a cricket player to an athletic champion was not a straight path, but one filled with determination and struggle.
“I started as a cricket player, but fate had different plans, leading me to athletics,” Arshad said. He reflected on the difficult times, particularly before the World Olympics, when an injury threatened to derail his dreams. “The injury was a tough blow, and I had to undergo surgery. But after my second throw, I was certain that the gold medal was mine.”
Arshad also took a moment to express his gratitude. “A happy Independence Day to the nation! I owe my success to the prayers of my parents and the support of my country. Their unwavering belief helped me secure this gold medal for Pakistan.”
Arshad’s journey began when WAPDA offered him a job, giving him the opportunity to focus on athletics. He won his first award in 2016 in India, which marked the start of his relentless pursuit of excellence. Despite setbacks like finishing fifth in the Tokyo Olympics due to injuries, he never lost hope. He went on to achieve significant victories, including a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships and medals at the Commonwealth Games and World Islamic Games.
“My warm-up throws felt strong, and I was confident I could achieve my target of over 90 meters,” Arshad recounted. “By my second throw, I was convinced the gold was mine. Even my final throw surpassed 91 meters. This success is a testament to the hard work of my coaches. With the nation’s prayers, I aim to win more gold medals and break the world record in the upcoming World Athletics Championships.”