Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem wins Pakistan’s first gold in 50 years at the Asian Athletics Championship 2025 with a throw of 86.40m in South Korea. Learn about his journey, highlights, and full results.
In a moment of national pride and athletic excellence, Pakistan’s javelin superstar Arshad Nadeem clinched the gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025, held in Gumi, South Korea. With a towering throw of 86.40 meters, Nadeem not only topped the podium but also ended a 50-year-long gold medal drought for Pakistan in the prestigious continental tournament.
This victory marked an emphatic return to the international arena for the Olympic record-holder, who last competed at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he stunned the world with a jaw-dropping throw of 92.97 meters.
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A Golden Throw that Shook Asia
The men’s javelin final at the Asian Athletics Championships was nothing short of spectacular. Nadeem entered the final with high expectations riding on his shoulders. He had earlier secured qualification with a powerful 86.34m throw in the heats—executed in a single attempt.
While Nadeem had a sluggish start, his determination and skill were clearly visible. His first two attempts measured 75.64m and 76.80m, placing him behind the early leaders. However, in his third attempt, Nadeem threw 85.57m, vaulting him into the top position and setting the tone for what would become a historic night for Pakistan.
The fourth and fifth attempts were also strong—83.99m and 83.44m respectively—but it was his sixth and final throw that brought the stadium to its feet. With the crowd roaring and “Dil Dil Pakistan” echoing around the arena, Arshad launched the javelin to 86.40m, securing his gold medal in true champion style.
Podium Finish: Who Won Silver and Bronze?
The final standings in the men’s javelin throw were as follows:
- 🥇 Gold: Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan) – 86.40m
- 🥈 Silver: Sachin Yadav (India) – 85.16m (Personal Best)
- 🥉 Bronze: Yuta Sakiyama (Japan) – 83.75m (Personal Best)
India’s Sachin Yadav and Japan’s Yuta Sakiyama both recorded personal best throws, making the competition intense and exciting. Yadav’s 85.16m was just shy of challenging Nadeem’s leading throw, while Sakiyama’s 83.75m helped him edge out Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, who had to settle for fourth place despite a strong 83.27m throw.
Other Finalists and Standout Performances
The men’s javelin final featured impressive performances from a number of athletes across Asia:
- Yash Vir Singh (India) – Finished fifth with a personal best of 82.57m
- Hu Haoran (China) – Finished sixth with a season-best of 80.93m
- Sumedha Jagath Ranasinghe (Sri Lanka) – Finished seventh with 79.81m
- Muhammad Yasir (Pakistan) – Finished eighth with 75.39m
For Pakistan, while Yasir couldn’t break into the top ranks, his qualification to the final round was an achievement in itself, having thrown 76.07m in the heats.
Coach’s Insight: A Strong Start to the Season
Speaking exclusively to Dawn.com after the final, Arshad Nadeem’s coach, Salman Butt, expressed satisfaction with the performance. He acknowledged that while the competition schedule was tight—with heats and finals held on consecutive days—it was still a commendable outing for Nadeem.
“It was a good performance, especially since this was his first competition of the season. If there had been one day of rest between the heats and finals, he would have had more recovery and a better throw. But this is a good start,” said Butt.
The Return of a National Hero
Arshad Nadeem’s triumph is particularly significant given the context. After a silver medal win at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest and gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, Nadeem had taken time off to recover and train.
His return to form with an 86.40m throw shows that he remains a dominant force in the global javelin scene. Despite not breaking the Asian Athletics Championship record of 86.72m, Nadeem’s gold was monumental in every sense.
Notably, this was Pakistan’s first and only medal at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships—making it even more meaningful.
Celebrations and Prostration: A Trademark Victory
The scenes after Nadeem’s final throw were emotional and electrifying. As the javelin landed past the 86-meter mark, Nadeem immediately dropped to the ground in Sajda (prostration)—a gesture that has become his signature celebration.
The stadium buzzed with emotion as Pakistani fans waved flags and chanted in unison. The melody of “Dil Dil Pakistan” filled the air, perfectly capturing the moment of patriotic joy and sporting excellence.
Recognition and Future Plans
Prior to the event, Arshad Nadeem was named the Asian Athletics Best Male Athlete of the Year, a title that reflected his consistent performance and growing influence in the sport.
Following his victory, Nadeem shared a heartfelt message on Instagram:
“As always I would need your support and prayers.”
Looking ahead, Arshad Nadeem is preparing for the World Athletics Championships in September, to be held in England. This is the only major global competition where he has yet to win a gold medal, and all eyes will be on him to complete the hat-trick.
Pakistan’s Performance Beyond Javelin
While Arshad Nadeem stole the show, other Pakistani athletes also participated in the Asian Athletics Championships:
Women’s 100m Heats:
- Tameem Khan, Pakistan’s fastest female sprinter, clocked 12.14 seconds, finishing 17th overall.
Men’s 400m:
- Shajar Abbas ran 47.17 in the heats and 47.38 in the semi-finals, finishing 12th.
- Abdul Mueed completed his heats with a time of 50.10, finishing 27th.
While these athletes did not secure podium finishes, their participation reflects Pakistan’s growing investment and interest in track and field sports.
A Historical Perspective: 50 Years in the Making
Arshad Nadeem’s gold at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships is Pakistan’s first in five decades. The last time a Pakistani athlete stood on the top step of the podium at this event was half a century ago, making Nadeem’s win a moment for the history books.
This landmark victory is expected to serve as a catalyst for future development in Pakistan’s athletics programs, encouraging both governmental support and private sponsorships for young talent.
Reactions from Pakistan and Across Asia
Nadeem’s win quickly became trending news across Pakistan. From social media to mainstream media channels, the javelin champion received praise from political leaders, sports analysts, and fans alike.
Some notable reactions:
- Prime Minister of Pakistan: “Arshad Nadeem continues to make the nation proud. A symbol of determination and patriotism. Congratulations!”
- Pakistan Athletics Federation: “Historic! Gold after 50 years. Thank you, Arshad Nadeem, for inspiring a generation.”
- International Athletics Federation: “Watch out world—Nadeem is back and better than ever.”
Why Arshad Nadeem’s Victory Matters
Arshad Nadeem’s gold is more than just a personal achievement. It is a symbol of hope, perseverance, and national pride. In a country where cricket dominates the sports narrative, Nadeem’s success brings diversity to the athletic spotlight.
Moreover, his victory is likely to:
- Inspire youth to pursue track and field sports
- Attract funding and training facilities for javelin and other athletic events
- Promote international sporting participation from Pakistan in non-traditional sports
Conclusion: Arshad Nadeem—A Living Legend in the Making
With this historic gold medal at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, Arshad Nadeem has reaffirmed his status as one of Asia’s premier javelin throwers and Pakistan’s brightest athletics star. From humble beginnings to global recognition, his journey exemplifies what hard work, resilience, and faith can achieve.
As the nation looks ahead to the World Athletics Championships in September, hopes are high that Nadeem will continue to make history—and perhaps, bring home the one major gold medal that has so far eluded him.
