Pakistan’s rising star, Arshad Nadeem, wrapped in his country’s national flag, was overcome with emotion as he etched his name in history on Thursday, August 8th. A video captured the moment where Arshad, overwhelmed with joy and pride, broke down in tears after his monumental achievement.
He is crying his heart out. Man deserves every good thing there is in this world. No match to what he has done for this country, all on his own. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/mwDtNO4u3W
— Hassan (@Gotoxytop2) August 8, 2024
These tears were a reflection of the immense happiness and the honor he brought to his nation. He was visibly moved as he greeted the large crowd of supporters who had gathered to cheer him on during the men’s javelin throw final at the Paris Olympics.
The 27-year-old made history by winning Pakistan’s first-ever track and field medal and their first Olympic medal in 32 years. Arshad’s journey is one of perseverance and determination. In a country where cricket dominates and high-quality facilities for athletes are scarce, he defied the odds to triumph on the world’s biggest sporting stage. In Paris, Arshad dethroned his close friend and India’s star athlete, Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, to claim the top spot.’
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After a foul on his first attempt, Arshad unleashed a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters on his second try, setting a new Olympic record. The emotional significance of this throw was evident, as it marked the culmination of years of practice, prayer, and hard work. With this throw, gold was within his grasp. Although Neeraj Chopra also faced a foul on his first attempt, he rallied to record his season-best throw of 89.4 meters on his second try.
Arshad further cemented his dominance with his final throw of the evening, reaching 91.79 meters. His journey is nothing short of inspirational. Born on January 2, 1997, in Mian Channu, a small town in Punjab about 250 kilometers from Lahore, Arshad is the third-oldest of seven siblings. Coming from a modest background, with his father working as a construction laborer to support the family, Arshad’s village even pooled money at one point to help fund his training and travel to international competitions.
Arshad’s athletic talent was evident from a young age. He excelled in various sports during his school years, including cricket, badminton, football, and athletics. Initially passionate about cricket, which he played at the district level, it was his performance in an athletics competition that caught the eye of coach Rasheed Ahmad Saqi. Saqi recognized his potential and took him under his wing, helping to nurture the talent that would one day make Arshad an Olympic champion.
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