ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem will defend his Commonwealth Games men’s javelin title on Friday when he competes in the final in Glasgow, seeking a second consecutive gold medal at the event and another major international triumph.
The 29-year-old, who won Pakistan’s first-ever Commonwealth Games athletics gold in Birmingham in 2022 before claiming the country’s maiden Olympic athletics gold at the Paris 2024 Games, qualified for the final with a best throw of 78.63 meters in Thursday’s qualification round.
“Arshad Nadeem qualifies for the Men’s Javelin Throw Final at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games after registering a throw of 78.63m in the qualification round, finishing seventh overall,” the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) said in a statement. “He will return for the final tomorrow as he aims to bring more glory to Pakistan.”
No athlete reached the automatic qualifying mark of 84 meters, with strong headwinds affecting performances throughout the qualification round. The top 12 throwers advanced based on their best attempts.
Nadeem secured qualification with his opening throw of 78.63m. He fouled his second attempt before recording 75.65m on his third, but his first effort was enough to book a place in the final.
The men’s javelin final is scheduled to begin at 7:45 p.m. Pakistan Standard Time.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage topped the qualification standings with a throw of 82.84m, followed by Grenada’s reigning world champion Anderson Peters at 81.29m. India’s Neeraj Chopra advanced in fifth place with 79.61m, while Australia’s Cameron McEntire qualified sixth with 78.91m.
Pakistan’s Yasir Sultan narrowly missed out on the final after finishing 14th with a best throw of 74.36m.
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Pakistan has participated in every Commonwealth Games since 1954, winning 82 medals, including 27 golds.
Nadeem is considered Pakistan’s leading gold medal contender in Glasgow, where the country is represented by a 36-member contingent competing in athletics, boxing, swimming, gymnastics, judo and lawn bowls.
