Arshad Nadeem’s latest outing at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo didn’t end the way Pakistan had hoped, but you wouldn’t know it if you scrolled through X (formerly Twitter). Instead of disappointment, the air is filled with pride, encouragement, and love for a man who has become more than just an athlete — he’s a national symbol of resilience.
After shaky opening throws, Nadeem fought back to qualify for the men’s javelin final with a strong 85.28m attempt. But in the final, he couldn’t quite replicate the golden magic of Paris 2024, where he made history as Pakistan’s first-ever Olympic champion in an individual sport. His best effort reached 82.75m, placing him 10th overall.
The medals went to Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago (gold, 88.16m), Anderson Peters of Grenada (silver, 87.38m), and the USA’s Curtis Thompson (bronze, 86.67m).
Yet, if you ask Pakistanis, this isn’t a story of failure. Far from it. Messages of support flooded social media. One fan wrote simply, “Still proud of you Arshad Nadeem. God willing, you will come back stronger.” Others reminded him that sport is as much about perseverance as it is about glory.
For many, Nadeem’s journey has already transformed Pakistani athletics. From becoming the first track-and-field athlete from the country to qualify for an Olympic final at Tokyo 2020, to smashing the 90-metre mark at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, to his unforgettable Olympic gold in Paris — he has already achieved what once felt impossible.
His Tokyo exit may sting, but it doesn’t define him. It’s just another chapter in the story of an athlete who has inspired a nation, demanded better for its athletes, and proven that Pakistan belongs on the global stage. And as the messages online show, Pakistan still has his back.
