ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower and Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem may not compete in the upcoming Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh.
The 28-year-old athlete, who recently represented Pakistan at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, entered the competition while still recovering from a calf injury sustained during training on July 4.
In this regard, Arshad, who won gold at the 2023 Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya, Turkey, with a record throw of 88.55 metres, was expected to defend his title in Riyadh when the event begins on November 7. However, AFP Honorary Secretary Lt. Col.
Shahjehan Mir (Retd) stated that a decision on his participation will be taken after careful consideration.
“At this stage, we will take time to decide on this matter,” Mir told The Express Tribune.
Furthermore, Arshad struggled in his initial attempts but managed to qualify for the finals with an 85.20m throw. He ultimately finished 10th with 82.75m, well below his personal best of 92.97m and his season-best of 86.40m achieved at the Asian Championships in Gumi in May.
In this sense, Arshad was not alone in facing challenges in Tokyo. India’s Neeraj Chopra, the defending champion, also endured a rare off-day, finishing eighth, while Germany’s world number one Julien Weber placed fifth.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s joining at the World Championships suffered another blow as sprinter Tameem Khan, the nation’s fastest woman, was forced to withdraw due to injury.
Also Read: Arshad clinches gold medal at 2025 Asian Athletics Championships
The 2024 national champion, who clocked 11.80 seconds earlier this year, secured a rare universal quota for the event but stepped aside after sustaining an injury just before her departure.
