Pakistan’s javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem made history, not only by securing a gold medal but also by setting a new Olympic world record with an astonishing throw of 92.97 meters.
Retired local sports official Parvaiz Ahmed Dogar said that there were many difficulties which they faced to get professional training for Nadeem.
“The athletes used to use wooden sticks with a rope tied around it as a javelin. Those wouldn’t even land on the tip,” Dogar recalled.
Pakistan doesn’t have a proper ground dedicated to track and field, so athletes have to train on a cricket field.
Arshad’s older brother, Shahid Nadeem revealed, “I made Arshad switch from playing cricket to javelin at a time when no one knew what the javelin was.”
In March, Nadeem revealed that he owned just one javelin, which he had been using for the last seven years and it was damaged.
Read more: ‘Arshad Nadeem also our child’: Neeraj Chopra’s mother
Speaking to media after his win, Nadeem said the struggle was all worthwhile.
“When I threw the javelin, I got the feel of it leaving my hand and sensed it could be an Olympic record,” he said.
After this remarkable win, people around the world and even from India lauded Nadeem.
