Pakistan javelin thrower Arshad eyes Olympic gold after South Asian Games glory

Pakistan’s javelin thrower ecstatic to represent country at 2020 Tokyo Games

KARACHI: "I don't think many Pakistanis would still know what I've done, this morning,", said Pakistan's Asian Games bronze medallist Arshad Nadeem as he won gold medal for the country at the South Asian Games in javelin throw and in the process became the first Pakistani too, to qualify directly for the 2020 Olympic Games.

He created a new Pakistan record and a South Asian Games record too with 86.29 metres in Nepal on Saturday.

He was the best among the lot and he said he knew he was going to Nepal with only one aim," I just wanted to win that gold medal and improve the record, now I'm aware that my performance can get me to the Olympics too. I know I'm qualifier there."

Arshad's throws were 78.74, 86.29, 83.17, 85.86, 82.13, while the silver medal went to India's Shivpal Singh for a 84.16 metres throw. Arshad and Shivpal are friends, a bond they struck in Doha in October, and the bronze medal went to Sri Lanka's Sumeda Jagath with 74.97 metres.

Pakistan’s javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem wins gold, qualifies for 2020 Olympics

"I was just finishing up my namaz (prayers), and right now in the afternoon, I still can't believe I've done this," Arshad told The Express Tribune, in the humble manner that is his trademark. "I know people may not know what we have achieved here, because cricket is something everyone follows. I hope my gold medal here and the records can draw some attention to athletics too.

"I want to dedicate this medal to my wife, my parents and my country."

Arshad was an aspiring cricketer during his school days, but he changed his sport to javelin throw on the insistence of his coach Faiz Bokhari.

"I don't regret the decision of changing my sport, I'm glad I took that decision, even for reasons because I had to struggle as a kid. My father was a labourer and cricket sometimes need more money and contacts, but I'm glad, I didn't stick to cricket. Now I want people to see athletes on track and field too. I feel my decision has paid off well, so far."

The 22 -year-old has been a shining role model for many within the local circuit among the athletics, track and field in Pakistan, but he had his share of struggles too as right after winning the medal at the Asian Games last year, he was without any training camps or facilities. He did go to Doha earlier this year but had his injury, and even before the South Asian Games he had picked up an injury in his left foot.

But he says he overcame all of that because he is chasing the dream to represent the country at the Olympics.

And now it is about the world rankings. The entry standard for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics is 85 metres, something that Arshad wanted to achieve in Doha too, at the World Championships.

Arshad's event was originally scheduled for December 5, but the dates changed, however the organisational matters at SAG did not deter him from his aim.

"There had been changes in the schedule, and I knew Shivpal would be my toughest competitor, besides myself," joked Arshad. "But I knew I'm not returning to the country without this feat. I had been training for this for months, before this, there were World Championships, and then the national games, and I had four months and injuries to recover from. The goal was just to get a place for Tokyo and get a medal for Pakistan."

The boy from Mian Chunu, Khanewal, that he would address himself as, believes that now it is his determination that will help him get a medal at the Olympics too, and the upcoming camp for him and four other athletes in China, starting December 27 till February will be a key factor.

"I'm just getting all the messages from my home, my village, and I know I'll have to stay away from home now," said the younger father of a two-year-old girl. "My daughter, I feel she is closer to me than her mother. I spoke to her on the phone and right now I just miss her, but when she'll grow up she would know why I was away. I'm just grateful to everyone who prayed for me. But I do miss home at times. Be it on training or on an event, and the only way this can count is if I give my best and win medals."

According to the Athletics Federation of Pakistan secretary Muhammad Zafar, Arshad's performance can take him to the second place in the world ranking, while Arshad is the first athlete to ever have the performance that fulfils the entry standard in Olympics.

"I don't remember any track and field athlete achieving this, Arshad is the first," said Zafar. "His ranking will improve too with the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) too, but we are sure he qualifies for the Olympics," said Zafar.

He added that along with Arshad, Samiullah, Muhammad Shahbaz, Muhammad Naeem and Mehboob Ali, all the South Asian Games medallists will train in China.

"We've settled this with the Chinese authorities and we are sending our top male athletes to China," he said. "Arshad is of course one of our best and we want to support him in every way.”