Arshad Nadeem vows comeback after Tokyo defeat

WEB DESK: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem was unable to secure a medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Thursday, but pledged to return stronger after competing through injury.

In a heartfelt message to fans after the final, Nadeem thanked Pakistanis for their support and acknowledged his disappointment. “Although I couldn’t achieve the result I had hoped for in the final, I am proud to have represented our nation on the biggest stage,” he wrote. “Your prayers, messages, and encouragement mean the world to me. I know I let you all down, but I promise to come back stronger and work even harder to make you proud.”

The 27-year-old disclosed that he had been battling an injury since early July, which hampered his preparation and fitness. “Despite this challenge, I gave it my all, and I appreciate the experience,” he said. Nadeem, who won gold at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, was considered one of the top contenders in Tokyo alongside India’s Neeraj Chopra. But while the spotlight was on a potential South Asian showdown, the event was instead dominated by a Caribbean resurgence.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott completed a stunning comeback to win his first world title, 13 years after his Olympic triumph in London. Now 32, Walcott threw 87.83 metres in round two and extended to 88.16m in the fourth for a season’s best. “I have been waiting for this medal for 13 years,” he said. “I never gave up. If I had, I wouldn’t be here.”

Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion, earned silver with 87.12m, while USA’s Curtis Thompson took bronze at 86.67m — the first American javelin medal since 2007. India’s Sachin Yadav impressed with 86.27m for fourth, ahead of Germany’s Julian Weber (86.11m) and Kenya’s Julius Yego (85.54m). Chopra struggled to eighth with 84.03m, two spots ahead of Nadeem, who managed 82.75m.

Walcott attributed his revival to working with Klaus Bartonietz, Chopra’s former coach. “We knew it would be tough, but at the end of the day the best throw wins. I’m happy it was mine,” he said.

While Walcott returned to glory, Nadeem promised Pakistan he will “keep pushing to achieve greatness, not just for myself, but for our nation.”