“I was tensed” - Arshad Nadeem’s wife reveals nerves during husband’s gold-medal winning throw in Paris Olympics

Arshad Nadeem’s wife Ayesha admitted that she was nervous when her husband took part in the men’s javelin final in the Paris Olympics 2024. Arshad finished the qualification round in fourth place, but the 27-year-old put his best foot forward in the final.

Arshad Nadeem started by making a foul throw, but the second throw sealed the deal for him. With a throw of 92.97 metres, Nadeem stormed to the gold medal position. He also broke the Olympic record of 90.57 metres set by Andreas Thorkildsen of Norway in the 2008 Olympics.

Arshad’s wife said she was nervous and was constantly praying for her beloved to finish on top. The javelin thrower, sitting on the opposite end during an event, was also seen clapping.

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“I was tensed, but I was also praying for him that almighty make him successful and help him bring the gold medal,” Nadeem’s wife said (via "@_FaridKhan" on X)

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"We used to motivate him": Arshad Nadeem’s wife

Arshad’s wife further said there have been phases when the athlete used to be lacking confidence. She said that his family stayed by his side and motivated him during tough periods.

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“Whenever he used to be down, we used to motivate him and pray for him, saying you should not lose faith,” she said.

With his throw at Stade de France in Paris, Nadeem left behind India’s Neeraj Chopra, who marked his season-best throw of 89.45 metres. Anderson Peters of Grenada won the silver medal. Arshad finished off on a high with another monstrous throw of 91.79 metres in his sixth throw.

Arshad Nadeem also ended Pakistan’s 32-year-long wait of winning a medal in the Olympics. After he returned to his hometown following his heist in Paris, Arshad got a hero’s welcome. Apart from the Olympics, Arshad had previously shown his class during the 2022 Commonwealth Games with a throw of 90.18 metres to clinch the gold medal.

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