Arshad Nadeem indeed made history by winning Pakistan’s first-ever individual gold medal at the Paris Olympics. The Pakistani athlete excelled in the men’s javelin throw, setting a world record with a throw of 92.97m.
He became an overnight sensation in Pakistan, with many people, including prominent figures and the government, showering him with congratulations and cash rewards. Amid this celebration, a viral video on social media showed children in Pakistan practising javelin with bamboo sticks instead of cricket. This shows Arshad’s impact on the sport in his country. He has truly popularised javelin in Pakistan, inspiring young children to take up the sport.
Arshad gains fame
Arshad’s historic achievement has not only earned him popularity but also significant recognition. The Government of Pakistan has announced a cash prize for him, and he will be awarded the second-highest civilian honour, the Hilal-e-Imtiaz, for his contributions to sports.
Additionally, his efforts have secured him a combined cash prize of 1.51 crore Pakistani rupees from the governments of Punjab and Sindh. Pakistani singer Ali Zafar has also announced a cash prize of 1 crore Pakistani rupees for Arshad.
Arshad defeats Neeraj Chopra at Paris Olympics
Arshad’s 92.97m throw saw him surpass India’s Neeraj Chopra, who had to settle for silver with a throw of 89.45m. Grenadian javelin thrower Anderson Peters finished third with a throw of 88.54m.