ISLAMABAD: The nation’s top leadership congratulated Arshad Nadeem who defeated a chronic elbow injury to win Commonwealth Games men’s javelin on Sunday, becoming the first Pakistan athlete to achieve the feat.
“What amazing news to wake up to! His consistency, passion and hard work hold lessons for our youth,” tweeted the prime minister.
“Congratulations Arshad on your brilliant achievement.”
What an amazing news to wake up to early this morning! Arshad Nadeem has done Pakistan proud by winning the first gold medal in Commonwealth Games. His consistency, passion & hard work hold lessons for our youth. Congratulations Arshad on your brilliant achievement.
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) August 8, 2022
Nadeem made headlines in August last after he competed in the men’s javelin throw competition in the Olympics where he finished fifth after almost winning a medal. Neeraj Chopra won the title with a best throw of 87.58 metres to claim the first Olympic athletics gold medal for India.
But on Sunday, with his effort of 90.18 metres, Nadeem crossed a barrier that even Chopra hasn’t. Chopra missed these Games because of injury. His best is 89.94 metres.
What a superb performance from Arshad Nadeem!
He earns Pakistan their first track and field Gold after 60 years 🥇🥇, setting precedence with a new Games record.
Congratulations @NOCPakistan 👏🏾#CommonwealthGames2022 | #B2022 pic.twitter.com/6H5YlKxeLg
— Commonwealth Sport (@thecgf) August 7, 2022
Interestingly, since Tokyo Games, Nadeem did not participate in any competition until Sunday’s championship.
On his way to the gold, Nadeem broke the record and even pushed the World Championship gold medalist Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who threw 88.64 metres, to the second spot.
“Nation is proud of you,” said the president.
Congratulations Arshad Nadeem on making history in Javelin throw and winning Gold Medal in the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Nation is proud of you. #CommonwealthGames2022 #CWC2022 pic.twitter.com/WXDfS0h1nf— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) August 7, 2022
The army chief said Nadeem “is the pride of the nation and our national hero”.
General Qamar Javed Bajwa, COAS congratulates Arshad Nadeem for creating history with his exceptional performance in #CWG setting a new record. “Arshad Nadeem is pride of the nation and our national Hero” COAS pic.twitter.com/oh1BY5R59h
— DG ISPR (@OfficialDGISPR) August 7, 2022
Nadeem’s native town of Mian Channu stayed up late to catch the historic occasion. His father Muhammad Ashraf, a mason by profession, despite the late hour, was awake to witness the biggest moment of his son’s career.
Within three years of crossing the 70 metres mark in 2015, Nadeem crossed the 80 metres mark with a throw of 80.75 metres in the Asian Games in Jakarta in 2018. The last four years have seen Arshad crossing the 85 metres mark four times with a best of 86.38 metres throw in Imam Reza Cup in Iran last year.
