Pakistan’s star javelin thrower and Olympic gold medalist, Arshad Nadeem, has been honoured as Asia’s Best Athlete for 2024 by the Asian Athletics Federation (AAF), marking a historic moment for the country and the athlete.

The announcement was made during the AAF’s annual meeting in South Korea, where Arshad was presented with a special award in recognition of his outstanding performance on the international stage.

Arshad Nadeem’s remarkable feats over the past year include winning a gold medal in javelin throw and delivering the longest throw in Olympic history, which elevated him to global stardom. His achievements have been widely celebrated across Pakistan, with fans and sports circles hailing the accolade as a moment of national pride.

In a historic performance at the Paris Olympics, Arshad threw an astonishing 92.97 metres, securing Pakistan’s first Olympic gold medal in 40 years. The throw, which came in the final round of the competition, not only clinched the gold but also set a new Olympic record.

Arshad Nadeem hopes his Olympic glory will inspire young generation

Arshad’s Olympic journey began with a foul on his first attempt. He bounced back with a solid 88.72m throw in the third round, narrowly surpassing Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch who had thrown 88.50m. His subsequent attempts included 79.40m in the fourth round and 84.87m in the fifth.

However, it was his sixth and final throw of 91.79m that sealed his dominance, making it the second-longest throw in Olympic history after his own record-breaking attempt.

The recognition from the Asian Athletics Federation underscores Arshad’s meteoric rise and cements his status as one of Asia’s top sporting talents. The award is not only a personal triumph for Arshad but also a major milestone for Pakistani athletics, reflecting the country’s growing prominence in global sports.

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