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Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem wins historic javelin gold in Olympics

India's Neeraj Chopra, gold medallist at the 2020 Tokyo Games, won the silver with a throw of 89.45

Published: Fri 9 Aug 2024, 1:19 AM

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  • Reuters

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Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan in action at the Paris Olympics on Thursday. — Reuters

Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan in action at the Paris Olympics on Thursday. — Reuters

Arshad Nadeem won gold in the men's javelin on Thursday, beating defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India to clinch Pakistan's first Olympic medal in athletics.

Nadeem threw his arms up in celebration after breaking the Olympic record on his second throw with a stunning 92.97 metres - the best in the world this year.


Arshad Nadeem celebrates with the Pakistan flag. — Reuters

Arshad Nadeem celebrates with the Pakistan flag. — Reuters

This is Pakistan's first Olympic gold in an individual category in history and their first gold in the Summer Games since their hockey team won its third gold medal in 1984.

Chopra, comfortably ahead in qualifiers and favourite to win, looked off his best form. His best of 89.45 was also his only valid attempt as he fouled on his five other attempts.

India's Neeraj Chopra (right) congratulates Arshad Nadeem. — AFP

India's Neeraj Chopra (right) congratulates Arshad Nadeem. — AFP

Grenada's Anderson Peters won bronze with 88.54, a redemptive moment for the two-time world champion after he failed to make it to the final at the Tokyo Games three years ago.

Peters knocked Czech Republic's Jakub Vadlejch, who won silver in Tokyo, into fourth place.

Nadeem knelt down and kissed the ground after Chopra's failed last attempt sealed his victory. The Pakistani finished fifth in Tokyo, but improved to take silver at last year's world championships.

The 27-year-old has highlighted the challenges of being a non-cricket athlete in Pakistan, saying resources and facilities for his sport were scarce.

Arshad Nadeem (centre) celebrates with Neeraj Chopra (left) and bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada. — Reuters

Arshad Nadeem (centre) celebrates with Neeraj Chopra (left) and bronze medallist Anderson Peters of Grenada. — Reuters

But if Chopra's huge following in India since winning Olympic gold is anything to go by, Nadeem's performance on Thursday could change that.

Chopra, who has more than nine million Instagram followers, has had a huge impact in raising the profile of athletics in India, World Athletics President Sebastian Coe said on Thursday.



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