Arshad Nadeem wins gold, Yasir Sultan bags silver at Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh
Arshad Nadeem, Salman Iqbal Butt, and Yasir Sultan. PHOTO: Yasir Sultan social media pages
Olympic gold medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem and Asian Championship 2023 bronze medallist Yasir Sultan finished first and second at the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh.
Arshad and Yasir were the center of attention in the javelin throw final at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium as they were coming in with the best record of throws in the season among seven javelin throwers in the competition.
Arshad successfully defended his Games title when his best throw, 83.05m, came in the second out of six attempts at the event.
🇵🇰 Proud Moment for Pakistan!
Arshad Nadeem wins Gold 🥇 and Yasir brings home Silver 🥈 at the Islamic Games 2025!
Making the nation shine—congratulations champions! 🎉💚 pic.twitter.com/pQUBGCg5X7This was lagging behind from his season best, 86.40m at Asian Championships 2025 in Gumi, and a jarring contrast from his Olympic record-breaking throw, 92.97m, in Paris last year.
Arshad's performance reflects a decline with in a year from his Paris Olympics feat.
The break down of Arshad's throws in six attempts was 75.44m, 83.05m, 82.48m, 77.06m, the fifth attempt was flagged, and 77.98m.
Arshad won the gold medal and created games record last time with a massive throw of 88.55m in Konya in 2022.
Meanwhile, this was Yasir's debut at the Games.
He took the silver with his best throw of 76.04m, which came in his sixth attempt.
The second place was closely contested by Yasir and Nigeria's Samuel Adams Kure, who pulled off 76.01m in his fifth attempt, which Yasir chased and upstaged with his best throw in the sixth attempt by a small margin.
The gold and silver medals by Arshad and Yasir take Pakistan's medal tally to four.
The Pakistan Olympic Assocation also cellebrated Arshad and Yasir's feat.
"Arshad Nadeem won the gold medal in the Men’s Javelin Throw Final at the Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh with an incredible 83.05m throw, while Muhammad Yasir added to Pakistan’s pride by securing silver with a strong 76.04m throw, a powerful 1–2 finish for the nation," they posted on their social media pages.
These were also the first gold and silver medals for the country at the current Islamic Solidarity Games edition.
Boxers Fatima Zahra and Qudratullah bagged bronze medals, earlier.
Turkey is leading the Games with 65 gold and a total of 130 medals, while Uzbekistan are second with 25 gold medals and a total of 79 medals, and Iran are third with 21 gold and 62 total medals.
There are 38 countries competing in the Games.
PCB Chairman congratulates Arshad Nadeem
Pakistan Cricket Board Chairman Mohsin Naqvi said that Arshad Nadeem is a national hero for his outstanding performance in the Islamic Solidarity Games.
According to the details, Chairman PCB Mohsin Naqvi congratulated Arshad Nadeem on winning the gold medal in the Islamic Solidarity Games in Saudi Arabia.
"I also congratulate Arshad Nadeem's coach and family on his victory. Arshad Nadeem has made every Pakistani proud again today.
"Arshad Nadeem's victory is a victory for Pakistan, which loves sports and peace. Arshad Nadeem brought happiness to the nation by raising the Pakistani flag. Every Pakistani is happy and the nation is proud of the talented son of Pakistan. Arshad Nadeem has won everyone's hearts."