Arshad Nadeem Sets Olympic Record, Wins Gold in Men’s Javelin Throw at Paris 2024
Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan delivered a historic performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics, winning the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 meters. Nadeem’s remarkable achievement not only secured Pakistan’s first Olympic medal since 1992 but also set a new Olympic record, surpassing the previous mark of 90.57 meters held by Denmark’s Andreas Thorkildsen since the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Nadeem’s dominance in the final was evident from the start. His second attempt of 92.97 meters established a clear lead over the competition, and he maintained that momentum throughout the event. Even his final throw of 91.79 meters was enough to surpass the previous Olympic record, though it was eclipsed by his own earlier throw.
India’s Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, was unable to defend his title despite a strong performance. Chopra’s best throw of the night was 89.45 meters, the second-best of his career. However, it fell short of Nadeem’s exceptional performance, leaving Chopra with a silver medal. This result adds another chapter to Chopra’s illustrious career, making him a two-time Olympic medalist, a distinction shared by only four other Indian athletes.
The bronze medal was claimed by Anderson Peters of Grenada, who managed a best attempt of 88.54 meters. Peters, a two-time world champion, secured his place on the podium with a powerful fourth attempt, edging out Jakub Vadlejch of Czechia.
The level of competition in the men’s javelin throw final at the Stade de France was extraordinarily high. All top five throws surpassed the 87.58 meters that had won Chopra the gold in Tokyo 2020.
This intense contest underscored the remarkable performances of the athletes, especially Nadeem, whose throw created a significant 3.52-meter gap over Chopra, the second-placed finisher.
The final also saw some dramatic moments for Chopra, whose third attempt resulted in a foul after he decided not to log a throw that barely crossed the 80-meter mark. Despite this, Chopra managed to hold onto the second position throughout the competition, showcasing his resilience under pressure.
The competition’s format saw the elimination of the bottom four athletes after the first three attempts, leaving the remaining competitors to battle for the medals in the final rounds. Among those eliminated were Andrian Mardare of Moldova, Mauricio da Silva of Brazil, and Finnish throwers Toni Keranen and Oliver Helander.
In the end, Nadeem’s stellar performance not only brought glory to Pakistan but also set a new benchmark in Olympic javelin throwing, ensuring his name will be remembered in the annals of Olympic history.
