At the Paris 2024 Olympics, Pakistani javelin star Arshad Nadeem made history with a remarkable throw of 92.97 meters in the men’s javelin throw final, securing the first-ever individual gold medal for Pakistan and setting a new Olympic record.
Nadeem’s stunning performance not only earned him the top spot but also surpassed the previous Olympic record of 90.57 meters, set by Andreas Thorkildsen of the Netherlands at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. His victory also outshone defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India.
The impact of Nadeem’s achievement resonated globally, capturing the admiration of sports enthusiasts around the world, including in China. Chinese netizens took to social media to celebrate Nadeem, affectionately calling him “Ba Tie,” or “Pakistani Iron Brother.” The excitement was palpable, with enthusiastic comments such as, “He has given wings to the javelin,” and “Incredible! He’s a hero!”
The javelin thrower’s performance was also highlighted by a commentator from China Central Television, who cheered loudly as Nadeem set the new record. On Weibo, China’s version of X, a trending tag read, “Nadeem surprises his coach’s sunglasses off,” which garnered tens of millions of views. One user humorously commented, “OMG, the coach’s reaction is adorable; he couldn’t believe his eyes!”
Since the Olympic Games began in London in 1948, Pakistan has won a total of 11 medals over 76 years. The last gold medal for the country was secured four decades ago by the men’s field hockey team at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics. Nadeem’s victory in Paris ends Pakistan’s 40-year wait for an Olympic gold medal.
Pakistani Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif congratulated Nadeem on social media, expressing national pride: “You’ve made the whole nation proud, young man.”
