By Staff Reporter
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem overcame early stumbles to secure a spot in the men’s javelin final at the World Athletics Championships on Wednesday, qualifying with an 85.28-meter throw.
He joins India’s Neeraj Chopra and other elite throwers in a highly anticipated showdown at Japan National Stadium, where the world’s top track and field athletes are competing in one of the sport’s premier events, rivaled only by the Olympics in global prestige. The World Athletics Championships, held from Sept. 13 to 21, have drawn thousands to Tokyo’s iconic stadium, with millions watching worldwide.
For Nadeem, the reigning Olympic champion, Wednesday’s qualification round tested his resilience. His opening throw of 76.99 meters fell well shy of the 84.50-meter automatic qualification mark—his weakest effort in years. A second throw of 74.17 meters sparked concern among spectators. Just two months after calf surgery, Nadeem faced doubts about his recovery.
On his third and final attempt, Nadeem delivered, hurling the javelin 85.28 meters to clinch a place in Thursday’s final at 3:23 p.m. PST. “In my mind, I knew I would qualify. And God willing, I did,” Nadeem told World Athletics, casually flicking sweat from his forehead. His throw ranked him fifth among qualifiers, a testament to his composure under pressure in Tokyo’s 35-degree heat.
“As you all know, I had surgery just two months ago because of a calf injury. I was a bit confused about how much of a run-up to take, so I was just setting that up,” Nadeem said. “Thanks to God, I qualified on the third attempt. The nation’s prayers are with me, and I hope I perform well in tomorrow’s final.”
Nadeem, 28, carries Pakistan’s hopes as its sole medal contender at these championships. His Olympic triumph in Paris last year, where he set a record and outshone Chopra, made him a national hero. A silver medal at the previous World Championships secured his Paris berth, and now, in Tokyo, he seeks another milestone.
“Qualified for the FINAL of the World Athletics Championships!” Nadeem posted on X. “Gearing up for the final tomorrow at 3:23 p.m. PST! Humble request: Need your prayers for a strong performance!”
Other top throwers advanced from the qualifiers. Grenada’s Anderson Peters, Kenya’s Olympic medalist Julius Yego, and the United States’ Curtis Thompson surpassed the 84.50-meter mark in Group B. In Group A, Chopra, the defending champion and two-time Olympic medalist, qualified with an 84.85-meter throw on his first attempt. Germany’s Julian Weber, the world’s top-ranked javelin thrower, rebounded from a weak first throw to qualify with 87.21 meters, while Poland’s Dawid Wegner set a personal best of 85.67 meters.
Nadeem outlined his technical focus for the final. “I knew I had to take a longer run-up; I opened my mind to that,” he said. “Tomorrow, I’ll need to be strategic. I haven’t had much practice with my run-ups since my surgery, so that’s something to focus on. If I can get a good run-up, I’ll have my throw.”
While Pakistan yearns for another medal, Nadeem remains philosophical. “The goal tomorrow is to do my best. Whatever else God has written for me is what shall happen,” he said. Thursday’s final promises a thrilling showdown, particularly between Nadeem and Chopra, whose rivalry has captivated fans across South Asia and beyond.
Chopra, 27, feels at home in Japan National Stadium, where he won Olympic gold in 2021 before empty stands due to COVID restrictions. “That Olympic gold medal changed everything for me,” Chopra said. “After winning it, I started to believe in myself.” His 84.85-meter qualifying throw signals his readiness to defend his world title, but Nadeem’s Paris victory over him adds intrigue to their rematch.
Copyright © 2021 Independent Pakistan | All rights reserved
