Javelin champion Arshad Nadeem electrified the crowd on Monday as he claimed the gold medal at the National Games with a powerful throw of 81.81 metres. Competing at the PNS Karsaz ground, the 28-year-old Olympic star was met with loud cheers from spectators eager to witness his world-class form live.
A strong lineup of track and field events built up to the start of the men’s javelin final, with Arshad as the undisputed centre of attention. Cameramen filled the boundaries of the javelin sector to capture every detail of his technique as the afternoon sun intensified on the synthetic track.
Arshad opened his competition with a confident 78.74m throw, immediately securing the lead and sparking excitement among the onlookers. Commentators celebrated the moment, repeatedly reminding spectators that they were watching an Olympic record holder before their eyes. Their calls for fans to take pictures and videos echoed across the stadium as they encouraged the audience to “keep a digital memory of this moment.”
Despite earlier expectations that Arshad would throw only once, he continued with determination after his first two throws landed in the high 70s. His competitive instinct pushed him toward the 80m mark, a distance well within his capabilities given his personal best of 92.97m. On his final attempt, he delivered an impressive 81.81m throw, celebrating with raised fists and a triumphant smile.
Yasir Sultan, silver medallist at the recent Islamic Solidarity Games, followed with a 70m throw to secure second place for Wapda, while Army’s Abrar Ali earned bronze with a 67.68m effort. Arshad’s younger brother Aleem finished sixth, showing potential for future improvement under the family’s athletic legacy.
Coach Salman Butt remained closely engaged with Arshad throughout the event, offering technical reminders and motivation between throws. After the competition, Arshad was surrounded by fans seeking selfies, handshakes and words of admiration.
Commentators praised his impact on Pakistan’s sports landscape, emphasizing that his participation made the event historic. They noted that his presence serves as inspiration for younger athletes and marks a moment that “will be remembered for ages to come.”
