Arshad Nadeem, born on January 2, 1997, is a Pakistani javelin thrower hailing from Mian Channu, Khanewal, Punjab. Representing WAPDA domestically, Nadeem has etched his name in history as the first Pakistani to reach the finals in any track and field event at both the Olympic Games and the World Athletics Championships.

Career Highlights:

– Commonwealth Games 2022: Nadeem set a new national and Commonwealth Games record with a throw of 90.18m, becoming the first athlete from South Asia to surpass the 90m mark.

– World Athletics Championships 2023: Securing a silver medal, Nadeem became the first Pakistani athlete to claim a medal at the World Athletics Championships.

Achievements:

– World Championships:
– Silver Medal: 2023 Budapest (Javelin throw)

– Commonwealth Games:
– Gold Medal: 2022 Birmingham (Javelin throw)

– Asian Games:
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– Bronze Medal: 2018 Jakarta (Javelin throw)

– Islamic Solidarity Games:
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– Gold Medal: 2021 Konya, Bronze Medal: 2017 Baku (Javelin throw)
– **South Asian Games:
– Gold Medal: 2019 Kathmandu, Bronze Medal: 2016 Guwahati and Shillong (Javelin throw)

– Imam Reza Cup:**
– Gold Medal: 2021 Mashhad (Javelin throw)
– **Asian Junior Championships:
– Bronze Medal: 2016 Ho Chi Minh City (Javelin throw)

Early Life and Journey:

– Born into a Punjabi family, Nadeem showed early promise in sports, particularly excelling in cricket before transitioning to athletics.
– Recognized for his talent by Rasheed Ahmad Saqi, Nadeem began his journey in athletics during his school years.
– Initially exploring various sports, Nadeem eventually focused on javelin throw, encouraged by his father Muhammad Ashraf.
– Nadeem received a scholarship from World Athletics in 2016, enabling him to train at the IAAF High-Performance Training Centre in Mauritius.

Road to Success:

– Despite facing challenges, including a back injury sustained during the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Nadeem persevered and continued to excel.
– He set numerous national records and achieved personal bests, including a throw of 86.29 meters at the 13th South Asian Games in 2019.
– Nadeem made history by qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics, becoming the first Pakistani track and field athlete to do so.

Recent Success:

– Nadeem’s remarkable journey continued with a fifth-place finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and a gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he broke records despite carrying an injury.
– In August 2022, he clinched another gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, setting a new games record.
– Despite facing setbacks, including injuries and controversies surrounding his participation, Nadeem’s determination and talent have solidified his status as a trailblazer in Pakistani athletics.

Looking Ahead:

– Nadeem’s silver medal win at the 2023 World Athletics Championships not only marked a historic moment for Pakistani athletics but also secured his qualification for the 2024 Summer Olympics, setting the stage for further triumphs on the global stage