Pakistan's javelin ace Nadeem Ashrad finished the World Athletics Championship campaign at a disappointing 10th place as Trinidad & Tobago's Keshorn Walcott won the gold medal at Tokyo National Stadium on Thursday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
The Pakistani hero made four attempts by throwing a javelin at 82.73 metres on the first attempt and at 82.75 metres on the third attempt. His second and fourth attempts got wasted.
Walcott clinched the gold with a season-best throw of 88.16 metres. Grenada's Anderson Peters won silver with a throw of 87.38
meter while bronze went to the USA's Curtis Thompson with a throw of 86.67 metres.
His Indian rival Neeraj Chopra struck at 83.65 in the first attempt and at 84.03 metres in the second attempt and finished in eighth place.
ARSHAD NADEEM AT WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL, GOOD LUCK! ???????? pic.twitter.com/GsDlQB3mwv
Earlier, Arshad Nadeem stormed into the final of the World Athletics Championship with a spectacular throw of 85.28 metres in his last qualifying attempt, setting up a mouthwatering clash with India’s Neeraj Chopra in the final.
According to the 24NewsHD TV channel, competing at the Tokyo National Stadium yesterday, Arshad struggled in his first two attempts, throwing 79.35 metres and under 75 metres, leaving him outside the qualification zone and piling pressure on his final attempt.
But the Olympic champion showed nerves of steel, producing a thunderous throw that cleared the 84.50 metres automatic qualifying mark.
The qualification round also saw Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, world No. 1 Julian Weber, and Anderson Peters advance comfortably, setting the stage for an electrifying final.
Officials from Pakistan, including Asian Athletics Federation Vice President Maj Gen (R) Akram Sahi and Athletics Federation of Pakistan President Brig (R) Wajahat Hussain Sahi, congratulated Arshad on his resilience and world-class performance.
Fans back home have been gripped by Arshad’s comeback story, especially as this is his first major competition since undergoing leg surgery.
His qualification has reignited hopes of a rare athletics medal for Pakistan, a milestone that would mark a historic moment in the nation’s sporting history.
“Arshad Nadeem’s last throw was not just about qualification; it was about courage, belief, and making Pakistan proud,” said an official.
The javelin final promises to be an epic Pakistan-India showdown, as Arshad Nadeem prepares to challenge defending champion Neeraj Chopra for world glory.
Reporter: Hafiz Shehbaz