Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan made history by winning gold in the Men’s Javelin Throw final at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
India’s Neeraj Chopra won silver, while Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed bronze.
With a spectacular throw of 92.97 meters, Nadeem not only won first place but also set a new Olympic Record (OR), giving Pakistan its first Olympic gold medal in almost three decades.
Pakistan’s field hockey team won its last medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona. Pakistan won their last Olympic gold medal in 1984, in the field hockey tournament. Pakistan won the gold medal for the third time, defeating West Germany 2-1 in the final.
Nadeem’s victory is a historic feat for Pakistan, representing a watershed moment in the country’s sporting history.
Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan is in action. Photo: Reuters.
Arshad Nadeem, along with India’s Neeraj Chopra, Cezch Jakub Vadlejch, Grenad’s Anderson Peters, Kenyan Julius Yogo, Germany’s Julian Weber, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, and Finland’s Lassi Etelatalo, made it to the final eight in the Men’s Javelin Throw at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Live Update:
Final standings:
Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan) – 92.97 meters (OR
Neeraj Chopra (India) – 89.45 meters (SB).
Anderson Peters (Grenada) – 88.54 metres
Jakub Vadlejch (Czechia) – 88.50 meters
Julius Yego (Kenya) – 87.72 meters (SB)
Julian Weber (Germany) – 87.40 meters
Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) – 86.16 meters (SB
Lassi Etelatalo (Finland) – 84.58 metres
Oliver Helander (Finland) – 82.68 meters
Toni Keranen (Finland) – 80.92 meters
Luiz Mauricio da Silva (Brazil) – 80.67 meters
Andrian Mardare (Republic of Moldova) – 80.10 meters
Attempts:
Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan): X, 92.97, 88.72, 79.40, 84.87, and 91.79
Neeraj Chopra (India): X, 89.45, X, X, X.
Anderson Peters (Grenada) scored 84.70, 87.87, X, 88.54, 87.38, 81.83.
Jakub Vadlejch (Czechia): 80.15, 84.52, 88.50, X, 84.98, and 83.27
Julius Yego (Kenya): 80.29, 87.72, X; 84.90, 83.20, 81.58
Julian Weber (Germany): X, 87.33, 86.85, 87.40, and 84.09.
Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad & Tobago): 86.16, X; 82.89, 78.96, 76.86
Lassi Etelatalo (Finland): 78.81, 77.60, 84.58, 82.02, X
Oliver Helander (Finland): 81.24, 82.68, X.
Toni Keranen (Finland) scored 80.92, 75.33, and 78.90
Luiz Mauricio da Silva (Brazil): 80.67; 78.67
Andrian Mardare (Republic of Moldova): 79.14, 80.10, and 77.77
Nadeem’s first throw was called a “No throw” because he bungled the load-up and returned to the starting point.
Arshad’s third throw, while falling short of his second try, was a respectable 88.72.
Arshad’s sixth and last throw of the evening was an amazing 91.79.
The event, which began at 11:25 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time (PST), was closely watched by spectators throughout Pakistan, with Nadeem bearing the dreams of a nation yearning for an Olympic medal.
Nadeem advanced to the final with an outstanding first throw of 86.59 meters during the qualifying round at Stade de France earlier this week. His performance earned automatic qualification, joining India’s Neeraj Chopra and Grenada’s Peter Anderson, who all qualified with great throws.
The excitement surrounding Nadeem’s participation has been evident, with Pakistan’s white-ball cricket captain, Babar Azam, among those who have publicly supported him. In a poignant video greeting, Babar wished Nadeem the best of success and urged the nation to support him as he seeks to end Pakistan’s 32-year Olympic medal drought.
Read also: Arshad Nadeem qualified for the Javelin final in the Paris Olympics.
Nadeem, who has overcome numerous hurdles this season, including a recent setback, has underlined his desire to provide a solid performance in the final. “I am very hopeful that I will perform well in the final, Inshallah,” Nadeem told the audience.
