Arshad Nadeem’s historic 92.97m Javelin throw shatters Olympic records”

English , Snippets , Sports - کھیل اور کھلاڑی , / Friday, August 9th, 2024

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RKI Web Desk

Salman Butt, the coach of Pakistan’s Olympic sensation Arshad Nadeem, expressed his amazement at Nadeem’s astounding 92.97m throw in the javelin final, calling it “unbelievable.” This incredible throw not only secured gold but also shattered the previous Olympic record of 90.57m, set by Andreas Thorkildsen of the Netherlands at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

“I knew he had a big throw, but that was truly unexpected,” Butt shared with a chuckle. He added, “As someone humorously put it, this was ‘out of syllabus,’” speaking to Dawn.com.

India’s Tokyo 2020 gold medallist, Neeraj Chopra, claimed silver with an 89.45m throw on his second attempt, while five of his attempts were fouls. Grenada’s Anderson Peters secured the bronze with an 88.54m throw, marking his first Olympic medal.

Nadeem’s achievement is monumental for Pakistan. It marks the country’s first-ever individual gold medal, the first gold in 40 years, and the first Olympic medal in 32 years. Additionally, Nadeem became the first Pakistani to win a medal in Athletics and to hold an Olympic record.

Reflecting on the journey to this historic moment, Butt revealed that the 72 hours leading up to the final were exhausting. It began with Tuesday’s qualifier, where Nadeem’s season-best throw of 86.59m positioned him as the fourth seed for the final.

As coach and manager, Butt had numerous responsibilities, including attending to Nadeem’s injury, coordinating with his doctor, and ensuring his physical readiness. He also praised the excellent accommodation at the Athletes Village, highlighting the clean and pristine environment, with no complaints and high praise for the facilities.