Pakistan delivered a dominant performance in the men’s javelin event at the 6th Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh. Arshad Nadeem successfully defended his gold medal, while Muhammad Yasir secured a dramatic silver. Their combined effort elevated Pakistan’s medal count and reinforced the nation’s growing strength in the discipline.
Arshad Nadeem Controls the Competition From the Start
Arshad entered the seven-man final with a clear advantage. His personal best of 92.97 meters remained unmatched by the rest of the field. He took the lead early and maintained it throughout the event. Although he crossed the 80-meter mark twice, he appeared dissatisfied with several attempts. Even so, he controlled the competition with confidence.
He claimed gold with an 83.05-meter throw on his second attempt. The distance fell short of his previous games record of 88.55 meters. However, it still placed him far ahead of every competitor. After his final throw of 77.98 meters, he bowed in gratitude before greeting fellow athletes in the cool 20-degree weather.
Muhammad Yasir Claims Silver With a Late Burst
Muhammad Yasir produced a strong finish to secure silver for Pakistan. His earlier throws remained modest as he registered distances of 70.32m, 74.43m, 72.82m, 73.78m, and 71.79m. However, he stayed within medal reach from the beginning. In the final attempt, he delivered a powerful 76.04-meter throw. With this, he overtook Nigeria’s Samuel Adams Kure, who finished with 76.01 meters.
Yasir’s throw placed Pakistan in the top two positions and strengthened the nation’s hold on the event. Although he aimed for an 80-meter throw this season, he will pursue that goal next year.
Support From the Crowd Boosts the Performance
Despite a sparse audience, a group of enthusiastic supporters gathered behind the throwing area. They waved Pakistani flags and captured videos of the performances. When Arshad prepared for his last throw, he prompted the crowd to clap in rhythm, adding drama to the moment.
Pakistan’s Medal Count Rises
The pair’s medals pushed Pakistan’s total haul at the games to four. Earlier, boxers Fatima Zahra and Qudrat Ullah earned bronze medals in their categories. Their performances contributed to Pakistan’s steady progress at the multi-sport event.
Athletes Reflect on Their Achievements
After the competition, Arshad expressed gratitude for the nation’s prayers and support. He stated that returning to top form after injury and surgery was a major milestone. He now aims to focus on upcoming events scheduled for 2026.
Yasir, who achieved a bronze medal in South Korea earlier this year with a 77.43-meter throw, delivered a close performance in Riyadh. Both athletes last competed together in May at the Asian Athletic Championships.
A Unique End to the Season
This event marked Arshad’s third international appearance of the year. The Riyadh games stood out because most track and field athletes had already concluded their season following the world championships in Tokyo. With the Diamond League ending earlier this year, many viewed Riyadh as an unexpected final stage.
