Arshad Nadeem secured his spot in the Olympic javelin final with an impressive 86.59m throw during Tuesday’s qualifier round at Stade de France, keeping his nation’s hopes for an Olympic medal alive.
This season-best throw, achieved on his first and only attempt in the qualifier, places him fourth heading into Thursday night’s finals. Leading the field is India’s reigning Olympic and world champion, Neeraj Chopra, with a remarkable 89.34m throw, also his season best.
In between these two South Asian athletes, Grenada’s Anderson Peters holds third place with an 88.63m throw, while reigning European Champion Julian Weber is in fourth with an 87.76m throw. All four athletes advanced to the final with a single qualifying throw.
Kenya’s Rio 2016 silver medalist secured fifth place with an 85.97m throw on his third attempt, marking his season best.
Brazil’s Luiz Maurício da Silva enjoyed a record-breaking day, throwing a personal best of 85.91m to set a new South American record, landing him in sixth place. Czech athlete Jakub Vadlejch ranks seventh with an 85.63m throw, which is below his season best of 88.65m.
Finland’s Toni Keranen made a strong Olympic debut, achieving a personal and season best with an 85.27m throw, placing him eighth.
Andrian Mardare of the Republic of Moldova also achieved a season best, throwing 84.13m to rank ninth heading into the final.
