Arshad Nadeem’s incredible journey from humble beginnings to Olympic gold has captivated Pakistan and sparked nationwide celebrations.
Nadeem, who grew up in a mud-brick house in the rural village of Mian Channu, made history by winning Pakistan’s first Olympic medal in athletics. His remarkable 92.97-meter javelin throw not only earned him gold but also dethroned defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India.
Nadeem’s triumph is especially inspiring given his background. Born and raised in an impoverished part of Pakistan, Nadeem initially trained in local wheat fields using homemade javelins crafted from eucalyptus branches with iron tips. His village lacked even basic amenities, such as reliable water and electricity, let alone proper sports facilities.
The news of Nadeem’s victory in Paris, which broke late at night in Pakistan, led to an outpouring of joy and pride across the nation. His home village erupted in celebrations, with jubilant dancing, fireworks, and a steady stream of visitors congratulating his family. “We haven’t been able to sleep since last night because relatives, the media, friends, fans, and state officials keep visiting us,” said his older brother, Shahid Nadeem.
Despite the challenges of being a non-cricket athlete in Pakistan, where sports funding is often limited to team games like cricket and hockey, Nadeem’s dedication never wavered. His gold medal is Pakistan’s first since the 1992 Barcelona Games and the country’s first gold since the 1984 Los Angeles Games. Nadeem dedicated his victory to the nation, calling it a gift in honor of Pakistan’s upcoming Independence Day on August 14.
Nadeem, now 27 and married with two children, comes from a family of eight in Khanewal, where his Olympic dreams first took root. Despite the lack of proper facilities, he and his brothers improvised, using iron rods, oil canisters, and concrete to create makeshift weight training equipment. The situation improved when Nadeem joined the local power utility Wapda, which provided better training facilities.
However, even in the lead-up to the Paris Olympics, Nadeem was still training with substandard javelins. A last-minute appeal led to government support, allowing him to bring back three international-standard javelins from South Africa. His mother, Razia Parveen, expressed her joy and gratitude, saying, “I am very happy for Arshad and Pakistan… I offered prayers to thank God immediately after his victory.”
Nadeem’s success is also expected to transform his family’s fortunes. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz of Punjab, where Nadeem hails from, announced a cash reward of Rs100 million ($359,195) in recognition of his hard work and dedication.
Nadeem is set to receive a hero’s welcome when he returns to Pakistan in the coming days, with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif likely to greet him personally. “Arshad is living proof that there’s nothing you can’t accomplish when you dream big, train hard, and never give up,” the US Embassy in Islamabad said in a post celebrating his achievement.
