Pakistani javelin sensation Arshad Nadeem has credited his latest triumph at the Asian Athletics Championships to the prayers and support of the nation, after securing a gold medal with an outstanding throw of 86.40 metres.

In a heartfelt video message shared on Instagram, Nadeem expressed deep gratitude:

“It is because of all your prayers that Allah granted me success in the finals and gave respect to Pakistan when I won gold at the Asian Athletics Championship.”

The 27-year-old athlete returned to Pakistan on Sunday, arriving at Allama Iqbal International Airport in Lahore, where he was met with a rousing reception from fans, officials, and media. Celebratory chants and garlands marked the return of the country’s star athlete.

A Historic Achievement

This victory is particularly historic, as it ends a five-decade gold medal drought for Pakistan at the Asian Athletics Championships. The last time Pakistan won gold at the event was in 1973, when Allah Ditta (javelin) and Muhammad Younis (800m) triumphed in the Philippines.

“This was my first competition since the Paris Olympics, and Allah gave victory to Pakistan,” Nadeem said, adding that the win was also the result of tireless efforts by his coach, Salman Iqbal Butt.

While Nadeem’s winning throw fell just short of the Asian Championships record of 86.72 metres, it reaffirmed his dominance in the region and marked a strong comeback after his historic performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he set a staggering Olympic record with a 92.97-metre throw.

Arshad Nadeem’s Growing Legacy

Nadeem has quickly become a national icon, not only for his Olympic heroics but also for his consistent success across international events. He is Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medalist and the country’s first athletics medalist at the Summer Games.

His medal tally now includes:

• 🥇 4 Gold Medals
• 🥈 1 Silver Medal
• 🥉 4 Bronze Medals

These accolades span a range of prestigious competitions, including the Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games, Islamic Solidarity Games, South Asian Games, and Asian U20 Championships.

National Pride

Arshad Nadeem’s achievements have reignited national pride in Pakistan’s athletics potential. As he continues to raise the bar for South Asian athletes, his dedication and humility have endeared him to fans both at home and abroad.

His message was clear: his victories belong not just to him, but to every Pakistani.

“Pakistan always comes first. This medal is for the nation.”