In a final that was fiercely contested between the world’s 12 top throwers, Nadeem’s effort of 92.97 metres stood at the top as the new Olympic record, followed by Neeraj’s season-best throw of 89.45 meteres.
While Neeraj said “it was Nadeem’s day” and congratulated the new men’s javelin champion, Pakistan was overjoyed as a nation to win its first Olympic medal since 1992, when their hockey team secured a bronze. However, it’s the first ever individual Olympic gold medal for Pakistan and their only medal in track and field.
Anderson Peters of Grenada won the bronze medal with a throw of 88.54m.
Former Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar couldn’t hold back his joy and shared it by posting a video message on social media.
“Out of nowhere, this son of a lion has won Pakistan a gold medal. What a player, Arshad! You have achieved this on your own, with your own hardwork and calibre. Many congratulations to you, to Pakistan. Mood of the entire country has changed with one gold medal…One guy is trending across the whole world, that is Arshad Nadeem,” Akhtar said in his video.
In another video shared by the Pakistan Cricket Board on its Instagram account, the country’s cricketers, including Umar Gul and Sarfaraz Ahmad, can be seen jumping in joy watching Arshad’s second throw in the final crossing the 90m mark.
Shoaib also shared a backstory to highlight Nadeem’s recovery from injury, mentioning the name ‘Rizwan’ who helped the star javelin thrower get his treament done. But it’s unclear if the man Shoaib refers to is the Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Muhammad Rizwan.
“Arshad Nadeem’s success has a story behind it, which is about Rizwan and the National Hospital…Rizwan got Arshad treated, not only in Pakistan but also sent him to England, got surgeries done. And today finally (Arshad won the gold medal)…So so proud of you Arshad….This is not one gold. Pakistan sent seven athletes (to Paris Olympics) and out of nowwhere, one out of the seven has won gold medal…You have done something that no one expected. You thrashed the Olympic record and throwing 90m (plus) throws (multiple times),” Akhtar added.
Interestingly, both Neeraj and Arshad finished on the podium at the Budapest World Championships as well. But Neeraj won the gold there and Arshad the silver. In Paris, the top two positions got swapped.
