Arshad Nadeem has marked his place into the final round of the Men’s Javelin Throw in Tokyo Olympics 2021.
The qualification mark was set at 83.50m. Nadeem had a poor start as his first throw traveled a distance of 78.50m. However, his comeback was strong as he registered his second throw at 85.15m that took him straight to the finals.
BREAKING: With a throw of 85.16, Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem has qualified for the final of Javelin Throw competition in Olympics. Final on 7th. #Tokyo2020 #Pakistan 🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰🇵🇰 pic.twitter.com/MG5fSU7JeB
— Faizan Lakhani (@faizanlakhani) August 4, 2021
This is the first time ever in the history of the Olympics dating back to 1948, that a Pakistani will be taking part in a track and field event.
The qualification round ended for both Group A and Group B with Arshad Nadeem being one of the six javelin throwers who enjoyed automatic qualification into the final. Neeraj Chopra from India, Germany’s Johannes Vetter and Julian Weber, Finland’s Lassi Etelatalo, Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch are the other five throwers who earned automatic qualification into the final.
This is so, so, so GOOD!! ❤️#ArshadNadeem pic.twitter.com/sl6ZxOZQDG
— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) August 4, 2021
India’s Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem have clashed against one another in the past as well. Arshad Nadeem had recorded the seventh-best throw of 2021 a few months earlier with his javelin reaching a distance of 86.38m at an athletics event in Iran. The throw was marginally shot from Neeraj’s personal best at 88.07m.
Read more: Pakistani athelete sharpens hopes of rare Olympic medal
Similarly, at the 2018 Asian Games, Neeraj won a gold medal with a throw of 88.06m and Arshad took the bronze medal home with a throw of 80.75m. Heartwarming pictures of sportsmanship took over the internet from the match when the two received their respective medals and shook hands. Arshad has also named Neeraj to be one of his inspirations for the sport.
Here's Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem from the 2018 Asian games, when Chopra won gold (88.06m) and Nadeem bronze (80.75m). They go head to head again in Tokyo, each having topped his qualification group! pic.twitter.com/8RQYzbsw5d
— Dilip D'Souza (@DeathEndsFun) August 4, 2021
Arshad and Neeraj also met at the 2016 South Asian Games hosted in India. Neeraj secured first place and won a gold medal for his throw of 82.23m and Arshad clenched the bronze medal once again with a throw of 78.33m.
Arshad was able to emerge as a champion in the 2019 Asian Games, where his throw of 86.29m not only earned him the gold medal but also paved his path for automatic qualification into the Tokyo Olympics.
Reaction
People are not only excited to see Arshad in the finals, but to also see him perform against his rival Neeraj Chopra.
Arshad has already made history by being the first Pakistani to qualify for the final in a track and field event. Similarly, for Neeraj, this is the first time an Indian has topped qualification at any athletics event at the Olympics.
Read more: Olympic Sport Center lights up with Pak-China friendship slogans
Prayers, love and warm wishes for the finals have been pouring in for Arshad Nadeem ever since the match results came in. #ArshadNadeem, #Javelinthrow and Neeraj Chopra have all been trending on Twitter.
Both nations have equally congratulated their athletes and hoped to see a good match in the final on 7th August.
I wouldn't mind seeing a repeat of this moment between Neeraj and Arshad from the Asian Games in the Olympic javelin finals tbh. pic.twitter.com/yTaBsssx7z
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) August 4, 2021
From Mian Channu to Tokyo…Arshad Nadeem qualifies for the Javelin Throw final…Grit written all on his face…#Pakistan #ArshadNadeem #TalentPk pic.twitter.com/ycqdPQY8Oz
— Andleeb Abbas (@AndleebAbbas) August 4, 2021
DOMINANCE Courtesy Sub-Continent 😎
Both
🇮🇳 #NeerajChopra – 86.65m🇵🇰 #ArshadNadeem – 85.16m
Have Finished as Toppers of their respective Groups in the #JavelinThrow Qualification.#Athletics | #Tokyo2020 pic.twitter.com/XUqZ8b7HZ5
— K A B I R 🇵🇰 (@Imma_Sledge3) August 4, 2021
Congratulations Arshad Nadeem for qualifying for the medal round at #Olympics Arshad is considered to be one of the finest javelin throwers in South Asia. His personal best – a throw of 86.38 – is among of the top 10 throws of the season. Wish you all the best @Arshadnadeem76 pic.twitter.com/ksh6oqXC1l
— Faisal Javed Khan (@FaisalJavedKhan) August 4, 2021
Arshad Nadeem has also released a video with his coach, in which both thanked the nation for their prayers and well wishes and also requested the people to keep praying for Arshad’s victory in the final. Speaking on the qualification, Arshad expressed his wish to raise his national flag high in front of the world.
#ArshadNadeem Best of Luck for Next Round pic.twitter.com/43FowxuM4A
— Ismail Jakhar 🔺 (@ismailjakhar) August 4, 2021