Pakistan’s dominance in the men’s javelin throw was evident as Arshad Nadeem successfully defended his gold medal while Muhammad Yasir secured silver at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. Arshad, who has consistently set himself apart on the international stage, entered the final as the clear favorite with a personal best of 92.97m, achieved at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he not only won gold but also set the games record. As expected, he led the seven-man field from the very beginning and was the only competitor to surpass the 80-meter mark, drawing praise from commentators for his commanding presence. Despite his superiority, Arshad appeared slightly dissatisfied with most of his throws, reflecting his high personal standards and drive for excellence.
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The 28-year-old Arshad clinched gold with a throw of 83.05m on his second attempt, comfortably ahead of the competition, though still below his 88.55m effort at the previous edition. His opening throw measured 75.44m, followed by the gold-winning effort, another successful throw over 80 meters, a 77.06m fourth attempt, a foul on his fifth, and a final throw of 77.98m. Before his last attempt, he gestured to the crowd, encouraging rhythmic clapping to build energy and momentum. Once his victory was confirmed, Arshad performed a prostration in gratitude and later shook hands with fellow competitors as fans flocked around him to capture selfies and celebrate his achievement.
Yasir, who had been trailing behind Nigeria’s Samuel Adams Kure throughout the competition, displayed remarkable composure and determination in his final throw, registering 76.04m to overtake Kure’s 76.01m and secure silver. Prior to this, his throws had ranged from 70.32m to 74.43m, keeping him in bronze position for most of the event. The silver marked an important milestone for Yasir, who continues to approach his peak performance and remains just short of his personal and season’s best of 77.43m, recorded at the Asian Throwing Championships in South Korea earlier in the year. This impressive outcome ensured a historic one-two finish for Pakistan, highlighting the country’s strength and growing competitiveness in international athletics.
The javelin throwing sector, though sparsely attended, featured enthusiastic fans waving Pakistani flags and recording the performances on their mobile phones. The audience created a vibrant atmosphere as Arshad and Yasir showcased their skills, drawing attention from spectators eager to witness the country’s top athletes in action. Other competitors included representatives from Guyana, Uzbekistan, Jordan, and host nation Saudi Arabia, none of whom could match the pace and precision of the Pakistani duo.
Following the event, Arshad expressed gratitude for the nation’s support and credited prayers for helping him secure gold. He reflected on his recovery from injury, surgery, and rehabilitation, noting that the focus now shifts to preparing for the competitions in 2026. Despite a challenging season, including a 10th-place finish at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships due to calf pain, Arshad’s performance demonstrated his resilience, discipline, and unwavering commitment to excellence.
Yasir also conveyed satisfaction with his performance, emphasizing his determination to achieve throws beyond 80 meters in the future. The duo last competed together in May at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, where Arshad won gold with an 86.40m throw and Yasir finished eighth. Their latest accomplishments in Riyadh not only added to Pakistan’s medal count but also reinforced the nation’s growing reputation in global track and field events.
The remarkable efforts of Arshad and Yasir at the Islamic Solidarity Games underscore Pakistan’s potential in athletics and signal promising prospects for future international competitions. Their gold and silver finishes highlight dedication, perseverance, and national pride, inspiring upcoming athletes and strengthening the country’s position in the sport.
