Arshad Nadeem has consistently set new milestones for Pakistan since making his mark on the international scene. He is an Olympic champion, a Commonwealth Games gold medalist, a silver medalist at the World Athletics Championships, and a bronze medalist at the Asian Games.
Notably, he is Pakistan’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medalist and the country’s first athletics medalist at the Summer Games. Standing at an impressive 6 feet 3 inches, Arshad Nadeem claimed the javelin throw title at Paris 2024 with an Olympic record of 92.97 meters, which also stands as an Asian record.
This article delves into his life, from his early beginnings to his rise as a national hero, exploring his achievements, personal life, and financial success in 2024.
Arshad Nadeem Biography
Arshad Nadeem was born January 2, 1997, in Mian Channu, Punjab, Pakistan. Nadeem was born in a Punjabi family and is the third of eight siblings. His father, Muhammad Ashraf, worked as a mason, and the family struggled financially during his childhood. Despite these difficulties, Nadeem developed a fascination for sports at a young age, initially gravitating toward cricket, which he played at the district level. However, his athletic career began when coach Rasheed Ahmad Saqi introduced him to javelin throwing at a school tournament.
Nadeem began competing in shot put and discus throw before that focuses on javelin. His talent was instantly recognized when he won gold medals in several local events, which led to national-level chances. His determination and hard work prompted him to join the Pakistan Water and Power Development Authority’s (WAPDA) athletics department, where he smooth his skills.
Arshad Nadeem Career
Nadeem’s athletic journey started in 2015 when he began competing in javelin throw after exploring different sports like cricket, shot put, and discus throw during his school years. Coach Rasheed Ahmad Saqi recognized his talent and guided him to focus on javelin throw. In 2016, he earned a scholarship from World Athletics, which enabled him to train at the IAAF High Performance Training Centre in Mauritius.
Arshad Nadeem Early Achievements
- Won a Bronze Medal at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati, India, with a throw of 78.33 meters.
- Secured a Bronze Medal at the 2016 Asian Junior Athletics Championships.
- Achieved a Gold Medal at the 13th South Asian Games in Nepal in December 2019, with a throw of 86.29 meters.
Arshad Nadeem Major Achievements
|
Year
|
Competition
|
Venue
|
Position
|
Event
|
Notes
|
|
2016
|
South Asian Games
|
Guwahati, India
|
3rd place, bronze medal
|
Javelin throw
|
78.33 m
|
|
2016
|
Asian Junior Athletics Championships
|
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
|
3rd place, bronze medal
|
Javelin throw
|
73.40 m
|
|
2016
|
World U20 Championships
|
Bydgoszcz, Poland
|
30th (q)
|
Javelin throw
|
67.17 m
|
|
2017
|
Islamic Solidarity Games
|
Baku, Azerbaijan
|
3rd place, bronze medal
|
Javelin throw
|
76.33 m
|
|
2017
|
Asian Championships
|
Bhubaneswar, India
|
7th
|
Javelin throw
|
78.00 m
|
|
2018
|
Commonwealth Games
|
Gold Coast, Australia
|
8th
|
Javelin throw
|
76.02 m
|
|
2018
|
Asian Games
|
Jakarta, Indonesia
|
3rd place, bronze medal
|
Javelin throw
|
80.75 m
|
|
2019
|
Asian Championships
|
Doha, Qatar
|
6th
|
Javelin throw
|
78.55 m
|
|
2019
|
World Championships
|
Doha, Qatar
|
16th (q)
|
Javelin throw
|
81.52 m (NR)
|
|
2019
|
South Asian Games
|
Kathmandu, Nepal
|
1st place, gold medal
|
Javelin throw
|
86.29 m GR (NR)
|
|
2021
|
Imam Reza Cup
|
Mashhad, Iran
|
1st place, gold medal
|
Javelin throw
|
86.38 m (NR)
|
|
2021
|
Olympic Games
|
Tokyo, Japan
|
5th
|
Javelin throw
|
84.62 m
|
|
2022
|
World Championships
|
Eugene, Oregon, United States
|
5th
|
Javelin throw
|
86.16 m
|
|
2022
|
Commonwealth Games
|
Birmingham, England
|
1st place, gold medal
|
Javelin throw
|
90.18 m (GR) (NR)
|
|
2022
|
Islamic Solidarity Games
|
Konya, Turkey
|
1st place, gold medal
|
Javelin throw
|
88.55 m (GR)
|
|
2023
|
World Championships
|
Budapest, Hungary
|
2nd place, silver medal
|
Javelin throw
|
87.82 m (SB)
|
|
2024
|
Olympic Games
|
Paris, France
|
1st place, gold medal
|
Javelin throw
|
92.97 m (OR)
|
Arshad Nadeem At Paris Olympics 2024
Arshad Nadeem, a Pakistani javelin thrower, threw an astounding 92.97m, shattering the Olympic men’s javelin throw record, in the final on Thursday. This also marked the first individual gold medal won by a Pakistani athlete in Olympic history.
On this special day, Neeraj Chopra’s mother, Saroj Devi, extended her congratulations to Arshad for his outstanding achievement, expressing her pride in both athletes’ exceptional performances. She also remarked, “Arshad Nadeem is also our child.”
This show of sportsmanship and camaraderie between the two competitors exemplified the true essence of the Olympic Games. It was a moment destined to be remembered in the annals of athletics for years to come.
Arshad Nadeem Net Worth 2024
Arshad Nadeem’s net worth in 2024 is expected to see a significant increase following his historic gold medal victory in the javelin throw at the Paris Olympics. Prior to this achievement, estimates placed his net worth at under ₹1 crore (approximately $120,000), while another source from Economic Times reported it to be around ₹37 crore (approximately $4.5 million).
After his Olympic triumph, Nadeem has been awarded substantial financial rewards totaling around PKR 153 million (approximately ₹10 crore or $1.2 million) from various sources, including:
- PKR 100 million from the Chief Minister of Punjab, Maryam Nawaz.
- PKR 50 million from the Chief Minister of Sindh.
- Additional rewards from local officials and public figures, including PKR 2 million from the Punjab Governor and PKR 1 million each from singer Ali Zafar and cricketer Ahmad Shahzad.
While his current net worth isn’t precisely known, it’s evident that Nadeem’s financial status has significantly improved thanks to his Olympic success and the subsequent monetary prizes.
Additional source – sports.ndtv
Arshad Nadeem Personal Life
Arshad Nadeem is married to Ayesha, the daughter of Muhammad Nawaz, who recently gifted him a buffalo to celebrate his Olympic gold medal win in a traditional gesture. Nadeem humorously commented on the gift, hinting that land might have been a more suitable reward, highlighting both his modest background and the cultural significance of such gifts in his community.
Nadeem and Ayesha have three children together—two sons and a daughter. His family plays a central role in his life, emphasizing the importance of family ties in both his personal and professional journey.