Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem speaks to Geo Information throughout a coaching session at Lahore on June 18, 2025. — Reporter
LAHORE: Pakistan’s Olympic gold medalist and javelin star Arshad Nadeem on Wednesday mentioned his focus is now firmly on the upcoming World Athletics Championship, vowing to make the nation proud as soon as once more following his current triumph on the Asian Athletics Championship.
“Whenever Pakistan’s name shines because of me, it fills me with joy. I always strive to win more medals and bring more honour to my country,” mentioned Arshad.
“I am happy to be included in Forbes 30 Under 30 — it’s a moment of pride for the whole nation. Please keep me in your prayers so I can keep winning for Pakistan.”
Arshad said preparations are in full swing for the upcoming competitions before the World Championship, which will be held in September.
“I have started training again and will participate in two to three events before the World Championship. We are also planning training sessions in England. I am working on overcoming the mistakes made during the Asian Athletics Championship to improve further,” he said.
Arshad’s recent gold medal in the Asian Athletics Championship marked a historic moment for Pakistan, ending a 50-year wait for the country to claim gold at the continental event.
His coach Salman Iqbal Butt outlined the road ahead highlighting a packed training and competition schedule designed to keep Arshad in peak form.
“Arshad’s training is ongoing in Lahore. We are submitting his entry for a meet in Switzerland and then planning a one-month training camp in England.
“He may even compete within the last Diamond League occasion of the season in Poland earlier than heading to the World Championship in September. Our aim is to make sure Arshad is at his greatest for the most important stage,” Butt concluded.
For the unversed, Arshad created historical past by successful the nation’s first-ever particular person Olympic gold medal on Monday earned one other main accolade, a spot on the Forbes ‘30 Under 30’ South Asia listing for 2025.
The celebrated annual listing by Forbes recognises the area’s most influential younger leaders, innovators and changemakers.
Nadeem’s inclusion highlights not solely his record-breaking athletic feats but additionally his rising cultural impression throughout South Asia.
The 28-year-old grew to become the primary Pakistani track-and-field athlete to obtain this honour — a milestone for Pakistani athletics on the worldwide stage.
Nadeem captured world consideration final yr when he shattered the Olympic javelin document with a outstanding throw of 92.97 metres on the Paris Olympics.
The historic feat earned him Pakistan’s first particular person Olympic gold medal and ended a medal drought of over three many years.
Forbes described his efficiency as a ‘gorgeous present’ and hailed him as a trailblazer for South Asian athletes.
He has clinched 5 gold medals in main competitions up to now, cementing his place among the many elite within the sport.
Nadeem joins a formidable listing of worldwide sporting figures on Forbes’ ‘30 Under 30’, together with Australian swimmer Kaylee McKeown and Indian chess prodigy Gukesh Dommaraju.
Nadeem first shot to fame together with his gold medal on the 2022 Commonwealth Video games in Birmingham and he adopted it up with a silver on the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
He has received 4 golds, one silver and 4 bronze medals in numerous occasions up to now, together with the Olympics, World Championships, Commonwealth Video games, Asian Video games, Islamic Solidarity Video games, South Asian Video games and Asian U20 Championships.
Now, he’s heading to England to coach for the World Athletics Championships in September, the one massive competitors the place he hasn’t struck gold but.
