Arshad Nadeem Criticizes Unfulfilled Promises After Olympic Victory Over Neeraj Chopra
- July 18, 2025
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Arshad Nadeem made history as the first Pakistani athlete to win an individual gold medal at the Olympics. His remarkable performance in the javelin throw at the Paris Games last year saw him surpass India’s Neeraj Chopra, securing the top spot on the podium. Nadeem’s throw of 92.97 meters not only earned him the gold but also set a new Olympic record, breaking Denmark’s Andreas Thorkildsen’s previous mark from Beijing 2008. Neeraj Chopra, despite his best efforts, claimed the silver with a throw of 89.45 meters.
Following his Olympic triumph, Nadeem was promised various prizes, including plots of land. However, he recently expressed his disappointment over these promises, labeling them as ‘fake.’ In an interview with Geo TV, Nadeem revealed that while he received all announced cash prizes, the promised plots were never delivered. This revelation highlights the challenges athletes often face in receiving due recognition and rewards for their achievements.
Currently, Nadeem is dealing with a “hamstring niggle,” which has affected his participation in recent events. He is traveling to England for treatment and preparation ahead of his anticipated face-off with Neeraj Chopra at the Silesia Diamond League on August 16. This injury forced him to skip an event in Switzerland, but he remains focused on recovering and competing at his best in Poland.
The upcoming Silesia Diamond League is set to feature a thrilling javelin duel between Nadeem and Chopra. This competition comes a year after their memorable encounter in Paris, where Nadeem’s record-breaking throw secured him the gold. Chopra has since crossed the 90-meter mark in Doha earlier this year, adding to the excitement surrounding their next meeting.
Since his Olympic victory, Nadeem has participated in limited competitions, notably winning gold at the Asian Championships in Gumi, South Korea, with a throw of 86.40 meters. As he prepares for future events, fans eagerly anticipate his performance against top competitors like Chopra.