Budapest, 28 Aug, 2023 (GNP): The leading javelin thrower of Pakistan Arshad Nadeem created history on Sunday as he became the first-ever Pakistani athlete to win a medal in the World Athletics Championships.
Arshad accomplished a historic achievement so far when he earned a silver medal with a super throw of 87.82 meters in the men’s javelin throw final at the international sports event in Budapest, Hungary.
What a day! Tiring yet rewarding. Like to thank Allah for this giving me the ability to go this far. This was the first time in the history of Pakistan that any Pakistani athlete won a medal at the World athletics championships pic.twitter.com/DaZDeRNyq7
— Arshad Nadeem (@ArshadOlympian1) August 28, 2023
The Indian Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has become the most successful athlete in the history of Indian sports after bagging gold in the Tokyo Olympics of the year 2020, he now secured a gold at the prestigious sports stage in Budapest with a throw of 88.17 meters.
Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic got bronze with a throw of 86.67 meters in the exciting sports occurrence.
However, Arshad, who returned to the games after almost a year because of fitness issues, has presented best form in front of the fully crowded stadium. Both athletes of the sub-continent Arshad and Chopra after attaining success in their respective groups came face to face at the thrilling finale.
In the first round, Chopra made a foul afterward he established the target with a marvelous throw of 88.17m. On the other hand, Arshad managed a remarkable throw of 87.82m in the third attempt after the two endeavors of 74.80 and 82.81, which helped him lift the silver at last.
Arshad made his fellow Pakistanis’ heads high with pride as this was the first medal of Pakistan in the World Championship history. His attempts in the top eight included throws of 87.15, X, and 81.86.
In the last World Championship held in Eugene, Arshad stood in fifth position.
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Reportedly, the President of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) Major General (retd) Mohammad Akram Sahi expressed, “It was a splendid effort from Arshad. He made the whole nation proud by snaring the first-ever medal for the country in the World Athletics Championships history.”
Moreover, the former coach of Pakistani athlete, Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari stated, “I pay salute to him. He did a wonderful job. It was hot but he managed the situation well. There was pressure on both Arshad and Chopra but the outcome was fantastic for Pakistan.”
Furthermore, Arshad’s present coach Salman Butt said, “It was a gift from God. You know he was in rehab and was playing after a year. I hoped he would get gold but still, we are thankful to God. He created history.”
