Who is Arshad Nadeem, the Pakistani Athlete Who Defeated Neeraj Chopra to Win Gold at Paris 2024?

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, held at the Stade de France on Thursday, Pakistan’s javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem delivered a jaw-dropping performance, setting a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 meters.

This remarkable feat earned him the gold medal, while defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India secured the silver with a season-best throw of 89.45 meters.

Nadeem, a nine-time international medalist and four-time gold winner, had been Pakistan’s strongest medal contender at these Games. He previously finished seventh at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

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Born on January 2, 1997, in a small town near Mian Channu in southern Punjab, Nadeem grew up in a financially constrained family, with his father Muhammad Ashraf, a retired construction worker, being their sole breadwinner.

Despite his initial passion for cricket, Nadeem was encouraged to pursue javelin throw, a decision that has now brought him Olympic glory.

Key Achievements of Arshad Nadeem:

• Gold: 2024 Olympic Games
• Silver: 2023 World Championships
• Gold: 2022 Commonwealth Games

Nadeem also made history as the flagbearer for Pakistan at the opening ceremony of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and his gold medal in Paris marks his country’s first individual Olympic gold in javelin throw.

ALSO READ:: WATCH: Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem Breaks Olympic Record With Massive 92.97m Throw In Men’s Javelin Final