Pakistan’s celebrated javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has suffered a major setback ahead of the Diamond League 2025, as he has officially withdrawn from the competition due to ongoing fitness concerns. The decision was made following medical advice aimed at ensuring his complete recovery before returning to international competition.
Nadeem, who brought glory to the country with a historic gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics, is currently undergoing rehabilitation in England after undergoing surgery on his calf muscle. According to his physician, Dr. Ali Sher Bajwa, the injury is recent and significant, requiring careful management to prevent long-term complications. Despite the severity of the issue, there has been progress in his recovery, with the athlete now able to put weight on his leg.
The surgery was conducted in Cambridge, England, and Nadeem has since been following a structured rehabilitation program. His medical team has emphasized that his return to competitive sports will depend entirely on how well he responds to the rehabilitation process. A final decision regarding his participation in upcoming events — particularly the World Athletics Championships scheduled in Tokyo this September — will be made once his condition is fully evaluated.
One of the most anticipated contests of the season, a face-off between Arshad Nadeem and India’s Neeraj Chopra at the Silesia Diamond League, now appears highly unlikely due to Nadeem’s absence. Both athletes, considered among the top javelin throwers globally, were expected to reignite their Olympic rivalry at the Diamond League meet.
According to team officials, the decision to undergo surgery was a strategic one, focused on long-term performance rather than short-term gains. “He is concentrating on preparing for the World Championships,” said a team representative. “The calf issue had been bothering him for a while, and this was the right time to address it properly. Competing before full recovery could have worsened the condition.”
Arshad Nadeem’s achievements have been a source of national pride. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he secured Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medal, ending a 32-year medal drought for the nation. With a javelin throw measuring an impressive 92.97 meters, he not only claimed the top spot on the podium but also etched his name into Pakistan’s sports history.
Before his remarkable performance in Paris, Pakistan had last won an Olympic medal in 1992, when the national hockey team earned bronze at the Barcelona Olympics. Nadeem’s triumph became even more significant as he remained the sole athlete to bring home a medal for Pakistan in 2024, following the disqualification of six of the seven Pakistani competitors from their respective events.
While his absence from the Diamond League is a disappointment for fans and sports enthusiasts, Nadeem’s long-term fitness and preparedness for the World Championships are being prioritized. As the athletics world turns its attention to Tokyo in September, all eyes will be on whether the javelin star can make a strong comeback on the global stage.
