Exactly one year ago, Arshad Nadeem etched his name in history with a jaw-dropping javelin throw of 92.97m at the Paris 2024 Olympics, securing Pakistan’s first-ever individual gold medal and breaking the Olympic record twice. The thunderous cheers at Stade de France marked the rise of a new sporting icon, restoring pride in a nation starved of athletic triumphs.
However, the past year has seen Arshad sidelined due to injury. After undergoing calf muscle surgery, he is currently in London undergoing physiotherapy, forcing him to miss two Diamond League events this month. Despite the setback, both Arshad and his coach, Salman Butt, remain optimistic. “Things are looking good for Tokyo,” Arshad told Dawn.com, setting his sights on the World Athletics Championships in September. A gold there would complete his golden trifecta, adding to his Olympic and Commonwealth Games victories.
Coach Butt admitted that missing competitions ahead of the World Championships isn’t ideal, but prioritizing Arshad’s recovery was crucial. The athlete flew to Cambridge for surgery within days of the injury flaring up again. Now pain-free, Arshad is training vigorously in London, with just a few physiotherapy sessions remaining before his return to Pakistan.
With six weeks of training in Pakistan before Tokyo, Arshad aims to replicate—or even surpass—his Paris heroics. His journey from injury rehab to another shot at glory embodies resilience, proving that even champions must overcome hurdles before rewriting history once more. The nation waits with bated breath, hoping its golden boy can soar again.