WEB DESK: Pakistan’s Olympic javelin star, Arshad Nadeem, is set to begin his quest for gold at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo today (Wednesday). Competing in the qualification round within Group A, Arshad is determined to make a strong impression on the global stage, with the final scheduled for September 18.
The event kicks off at 4:45 pm Pakistan Standard Time. After undergoing calf surgery in July and missing the Diamond League circuit, Arshad has worked diligently to regain peak fitness and is now fully prepared for the competition. His training sessions have reportedly gone well, and his coaches are optimistic about his chances of advancing to the final.
Arshad will face stiff competition from reigning champion Neeraj Chopra and Germany’s Julian Weber. Chopra, 27, is eyeing a rare feat—becoming only the third male athlete to defend his World Championship title, which he won in Budapest last year. This will also be their first encounter since the 2024 Paris Olympics, where Chopra finished second behind Arshad, offering a compelling rivalry to watch.
The qualification round will narrow the field to the top eight javelin throwers, who will compete for the championship on Thursday. Arshad has called on his fans for support, stating, “Please pray for me so I can perform well and reach the final.”
Highlighting his achievements, Arshad made history in 2022 by claiming gold at the Commonwealth Games and became the first Pakistani athlete to come close to 90 meters in javelin throw. In 2024, he set a personal best of 92.97 meters to secure gold at the Paris Olympics, establishing himself among the sport’s elite.
