Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem, who recently made history for Pakistan, expressed his gratitude for the overwhelming love and support he has received from the nation.
Nadeem’s incredible throw of 92.97 meters not only set an Olympic record but also earned Pakistan its first gold medal since 1984, triumphing over India’s Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion, in the javelin event on August 8.
Speaking to Geo News on Monday, Nadeem shared that the immense affection from the public has been so touching that it has even affected his sleep. He mentioned that he is making time to meet with fans as they truly deserve his attention and appreciation.
The 27-year-old athlete was warmly welcomed upon his return to Pakistan, with large crowds gathering to celebrate his success. Nadeem expressed his delight at the grand reception, particularly when he reached his village and saw people from neighboring areas come out to greet him.
Reflecting on his journey, Nadeem recalled how he started competing in various events in 2012, gradually building his career. His hard work and dedication paid off when he participated in his first international event in 2016, eventually leading to his historic victory in Paris in 2024.
Nadeem also shared insights into the intense preparation that went into his performance at the Paris Olympics, particularly after his experience at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020. He described the pressure he felt during the final, especially wanting to secure a strong throw in his second attempt to avoid stress in the third.
Despite the challenges, including a past injury, Nadeem successfully avoided any further setbacks during the competition. He revealed that he had undergone two surgeries in recent years, one for his elbow in 2022 and another for his knee just months before the Paris Olympics. He credited his coach and medical team for their crucial support in his training and rehabilitation.
In conclusion, Arshad Nadeem asked the nation to continue praying for his health and promised to bring more medals home in the future, reinforcing his commitment to making Pakistan proud on the international stage.
