Pakistan’s Olympic hero Arshad Nadeem secured the gold medal at the 35th National Games with a commanding 81.1-metre throw, 24NewsHD TV reported on Monday.
Representing WAPDA, the Paris 2024 Olympic champion stamped his authority early, soaring to the top of the leaderboard with his very first major attempt.
No competitor even came close to challenging his mark for the remainder of the event, leaving his opening throw as the undisputed winning distance.
WAPDA completed a one-two finish, with Yasir Sultan taking silver after a best throw of 70.77m, comfortably ahead of the field but far short of Arshad’s towering benchmark.
Abrar, representing the Pakistan Army, earned bronze with a throw of 67.68m.
Arshad, who made history last year as Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medallist, is also serving as the flag-bearer for the National Games.
“Honoured to be the Flag Bearer at the National Games 2025 in Karachi,” he wrote on social media, praising the electric environment.
“Amazing crowd and unforgettable energy.”
The star athlete also performed a ceremonial throw during the vibrant opening ceremony, which was attended by PPP Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori, Chief Minister Sindh Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Sports Minister Sardar Muhammad Bakhsh Mahar, and prominent political leaders.