Pakistan’s javelin star and Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem has been named Asia’s Best Athlete for 2024 by the Asian Athletics Federation (AAF), marking a landmark achievement for both the athlete and the nation.
The announcement came during the AAF’s annual meeting held in South Korea, where Arshad was presented with a special award in recognition of his exceptional performances on the international stage.
Over the past year, Arshad Nadeem has reached new heights, most notably by winning gold in the javelin throw at the Paris Olympics with a phenomenal 92.97-metre throw. This performance not only earned Pakistan its first Olympic gold medal in four decades but also set a new Olympic record — the longest javelin throw in the history of the Games.
Arshad’s path to victory was marked by resilience. After a foul on his opening attempt, he rebounded with an impressive 88.72 metres in the third round, narrowly surpassing Czech athlete Jakub Vadlejch’s 88.50m throw. He followed up with throws of 79.40m and 84.87m before delivering a stunning 91.79m in the final round — the second-longest throw in Olympic history, just behind his own record.
This prestigious recognition from the Asian Athletics Federation not only celebrates Arshad’s individual brilliance but also highlights the rising stature of Pakistani athletics on the global stage. His journey is being hailed as a source of national pride and a beacon of inspiration for aspiring athletes across the country.
