Tokyo 2020 Throwback: How did Arshad Nadeem perform at the Tokyo Olympics 2020?
Pakistan's ace javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem missed out on winning a medal in the men’s javelin throw final event in the Tokyo Olympics 2020 as he finished at the fifth rank.
Interestingly, at one point in the competition, he was placed as high as the fourth rank before being surpassed by his rival competitors.
India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra secured the gold medal while Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch and Vitezslav Vesely secured silver and bronze medals, respectively.
Moving into the details, Nadeem started off with a throw of 82.91m in his opening attempt of the final round. However, on the second attempt, he could only cover the distance of 81.98m with his throw.
The third and final round attempt of the competition turned out to be a foul as he settled for the fifth rank - just two ranks shy of the podium and a rare medal finish.
On the other hand, Neeraj Chopra initiated his opening attempt with 87.58m, and the other two attempts ended in fouls. However, his initial effort was enough to propel him to a gold-medal finish.
Arshad Nadeem finished the opening round in fourth rank
Nadeem's first throw landed at a distance of 82.40 - well below his personal best of 86.38m. His second attempt was deemed a foul.
Nadeem was well placed at the fourth rank in the opening round with a throw of 84.62 meters on his third attempt. Neeraj topped the opening round with a throw of 87.58m.
Chopra was the only thrower to clear the 87m mark. Nadeem was one of 12 throwers hoping to claim an Olympic medal in the event and perpetual glory for his country.
Arshad Nadeem, hailing from Mian Channu, Punjab, has a current personal best of 90.18m, which is also the national record in Pakistan. He achieved the record at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham and he emerged as the first-ever athlete from South Asia to breach the 90m mark.
Furthermore, in 2023, Arshad Nadeem became the first-ever Pakistani athlete to secure a medal at the World Athletics Championships after winning a silver medal.