Arshad Nadeem facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Arshad Nadeem
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Nadeem at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest
Personal information
Native name	ارشد ندیم
Full name	Arshad Nadeem
Born	(1997-01-02) 2 January 1997 (age 28) Mian Channu, Punjab, Pakistan
Employer	WAPDA
Height	1.92 m
Weight	95 kg
Sport
Sport	Athletics
Event(s)	Javelin throw
Coached by	Salman Iqbal Butt Terseus Liebenberg
Achievements and titles
World finals	2023
Regional finals	2025 2019 2018 2016
Olympic finals	2024
Commonwealth finals	2022
Highest world ranking	4 (June 2025)
Personal best(s)	92.97 m OR AR (2024)
Medal record Men's athletics Representing  Pakistan Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games 1 - - World Championships - 1 - Commonwealth Games 1 - - Asian Games - - 1 Asian Championships 1 - - Islamic Solidarity Games 1 - 1 South Asian Games 1 - 1 Asian U20 Championships - - 1 Olympic Games Gold 2024 Paris Javelin throw World Championships Silver 2023 Budapest Javelin throw Commonwealth Games Gold 2022 Birmingham Javelin throw Asian Games Bronze 2018 Jakarta Javelin throw Asian Championships Gold 2025 Gumi Javelin throw Islamic Solidarity Games Gold 2021 Konya Javelin throw Bronze 2017 Baku Javelin throw South Asian Games Gold 2019 Kathmandu Javelin throw Bronze 2016 Guwahati and Shillong Javelin throw Asian U20 Championships Bronze 2016 Ho Chi Minh City Javelin throw

Arshad Nadeem is a famous Pakistani athlete who specializes in the javelin throw. He is currently the champion at the 2024 Summer Olympics, the Asian Championships, and the 2022 Commonwealth Games. He also won a silver medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships.

At the 2024 Summer Olympics, Arshad Nadeem threw the javelin an amazing 92.97 meters. This throw set a new Olympic record and an Asian record. It is also one of the longest throws ever recorded in javelin history.

Arshad Nadeem is the first Pakistani athlete to reach the final in any track and field event at both the Olympic Games and the World Athletics Championships. At the 2022 Commonwealth Games, he became the first athlete from South Asia to throw the javelin over 90 meters. He also set a new Commonwealth Games record with a throw of 90.18 meters.

Early Life and Beginning in Sports

Arshad Nadeem was born on January 2, 1997, in Mian Channu, a town in the Punjab province of Pakistan. He grew up in a Punjabi Muslim family and is the third of eight children.

From a young age, Arshad was very good at many sports. He played cricket, badminton, football, and other sports at school. His biggest love was cricket, and he even played in local tournaments.

When he was in seventh grade, a sports coach named Rasheed Ahmad Saqi noticed Arshad during an athletics competition. Saqi, who had helped many athletes before, started training Arshad. Before focusing on javelin, Arshad also tried shot put and discus throw.

His father, Muhammad Ashraf, encouraged him to try javelin throwing. Arshad started throwing the javelin in 2015, and he later said it was "the best thing that happened" to him. Winning gold medals in javelin at youth festivals helped him get noticed across the country.

Arshad Nadeem's Career Highlights

Early Years (2015–2019)

Arshad Nadeem began competing in javelin in 2015. In 2016, he received a special scholarship that allowed him to train at a top sports center in Mauritius.

Nadeem at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati

In February 2016, he won a bronze medal at the 2016 South Asian Games in India. He set a new national record for Pakistan with a throw of 78.33 meters. Later that year, he won another bronze medal at the 2016 Asian Junior Athletics Championships.

In May 2017, Arshad won a bronze medal at the 2017 Islamic Solidarity Games. In 2018, he set a new personal best of 80.45 meters at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. He also won a bronze medal at the 2018 Asian Games in Indonesia, setting another national record of 80.75 meters.

In 2019, Arshad continued to improve. He set a new national record of 81.52 meters at the 2019 World Athletics Championships. In December 2019, he won a gold medal at the 2019 South Asian Games with a throw of 86.29 meters, setting a new games record.

Olympic and International Success (2021–Present)

Gold at Imam Reza Cup (2021)

In 2021, Arshad won a gold medal at the Imam Reza Athletics Cup in Iran. He threw 86.38 meters, which was a new personal best and national record. This throw also earned him a spot in the Tokyo Olympics.

Tokyo Olympics Debut (2021)

Arshad Nadeem made history by becoming the first Pakistani track and field athlete to qualify for the Olympics. He trained in difficult conditions, sometimes even in his home's courtyard.

On August 4, 2021, he qualified for the men's javelin throw final at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. He was the first Pakistani to reach an Olympic track and field final. He finished fifth with a throw of 84.62 meters.

World Athletics Championships (2022)

In July 2022, Arshad competed at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in the United States. He was the only athlete representing Pakistan. He finished fifth in the final with a throw of 86.16 meters.

Commonwealth Games Gold (2022)

Nadeem at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

On August 7, 2022, Arshad Nadeem won a gold medal for Pakistan at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in England. Even though he was injured, he set a new games record with a throw of 90.18 meters. This was Pakistan's first athletics gold medal at the Commonwealth Games since 1962.

Islamic Solidarity Games Gold (2022)

Just five days later, on August 12, 2022, Arshad won another gold medal for Pakistan at the 2021 Islamic Solidarity Games. He broke the games record again with a throw of 88.55 meters.

Injuries and Comeback (Late 2022 - 2023)

In late 2022, Arshad Nadeem had to get treatment for injuries to his elbow and knee. He went to the UK for medical care and spent several weeks recovering.

In May 2023, he competed in the 2023 National Games of Pakistan and won a gold medal. However, he suffered another knee injury, which meant he could not compete in the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships.

World Athletics Championships Silver (2023)

Despite his injuries, Arshad Nadeem won a silver medal at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest. His throw of 87.82 meters was Pakistan's first-ever medal at the World Athletics Championships. This achievement also helped him qualify for the 2024 Summer Olympics.

Paris Diamond League (2024)

In July 2024, Arshad Nadeem competed in the Paris Diamond League. He finished fourth with a throw of 84.21 meters. This event marked his return to international competitions after a long break due to his knee injury.

Paris Olympics Gold and Olympic Record (2024)

At the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, Arshad Nadeem made history again. He became the first Pakistani to win an Olympic medal in athletics, and the first Pakistani athlete to win an Olympic gold medal in an individual sport.

He won the men's javelin throw title and set a new Olympic record of 92.97 meters in the final. This throw was also confirmed as the longest throw in the world by any male javelin thrower in the 2024 season. Arshad Nadeem's victory was Pakistan's first Olympic medal since 1992 and their first Olympic gold medal since 1984.

Asian Athletics Championships Gold (2025)

On May 31, 2025, Arshad Nadeem won a gold medal at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea. He threw 86.40 meters, becoming the first Pakistani since 1973 to win a gold medal at this event.

Personal Life

Arshad Nadeem is married and has a daughter and a son. He is a very religious person.

His coach, Salman Iqbal Butt, describes Arshad as a quiet and focused athlete. He is known for being very respectful and for not letting setbacks bother him for long.

Awards and Recognition

Arshad Nadeem has received several important awards for his achievements:

• In 2022, he received the Pride of Performance Award from the President of Pakistan.
• In 2024, he was given the Hilal-i-Imtiaz Award by the President of Pakistan for winning the country's first Olympic gold medal in four decades.
• A special postage stamp was even made with his image to celebrate Pakistan's Independence Day.
• A road in Islamabad was renamed after Arshad Nadeem.
• In May 2025, the Asian Athletics Association honored him as the Best Asian Athlete.
• He was also included in Forbes magazine's 30 Under 30 list for South Asia.

Arshad Nadeem has also worked as a brand ambassador for several companies, including Haier and PTCL.

Images for kids

• 

  Nadeem at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest

• 

  Nadeem at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati

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  Nadeem at the 2022 Commonwealth Games

See also

In Spanish: Arshad Nadeem para niños

• List of Pakistani records in athletics
• Athletics in Pakistan
• Pakistan at the Olympics
• Pakistan at the World Athletics Championships