BANGKOK: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has qualified for the final round of the Asian Athletics Championship, continuing his impressive comeback after a long injury layoff.
Competing in the qualification round on Thursday, Nadeem delivered a solid performance with a throw that comfortably met the qualification standard set by the Asian Athletics Association. His throw placed him among the top contenders going into the final, scheduled to take place later this week in Bangkok.
The 27-year-old Olympian, who had been sidelined for several months due to elbow and knee injuries, expressed confidence in his recovery and form. “I’m feeling good. Alhamdulillah, I’ve made it to the final, and I will give my best to bring glory to Pakistan,” Nadeem said after the event.
This is Nadeem’s first major international competition of the year. His participation in the Asian Athletics Championship is seen as a critical step in preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics, for which he has already qualified. The championship also serves as a platform for top Asian athletes to test their skills ahead of the global event.
Arshad is one of the most celebrated athletes in Pakistan, having won a historic gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and finishing fifth in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He also holds the national record with a throw of 90.18 meters, the only South Asian athlete to cross the 90-meter mark.
Officials from the Pakistan Athletics Federation praised Nadeem's performance and expressed hope for a medal in the final. “His qualification is a great morale booster for the entire contingent,” a federation spokesperson said.
The javelin final is expected to be a tightly contested event with top throwers from India, Japan, and China also in the fray. Sports fans across Pakistan are eagerly awaiting the outcome as Arshad Nadeem aims to secure yet another medal for the country on the continental stage.
