Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem attributes Glasgow Commonwealth Games struggles to cold weather
Pakistan‘s Olympic javelin champion Arshad Nadeem has explained that cold weather conditions significantly impacted his performance at the recent Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Nadeem faced considerable social media criticism following his ninth-place finish in the event.
The javelin thrower, who holds an Olympic record throw of 92.97 metres from the Paris 2024 Olympics, stated that the unusually cold weather caused his muscles to stiffen. This stiffness, he explained, hindered his ability to execute his usual smooth run-up and generate the necessary momentum for his throws.
Glasgow Performance and Athlete Reactions
At the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Arshad Nadeem recorded a best throw of 77.41 metres, placing him ninth in the men’s javelin final. This performance meant he was unable to defend his gold medal from Birmingham 2022, where he had achieved a Games record throw of 90.18 metres. He did not qualify for the top eight after the preliminary rounds.
Nadeem acknowledged the disappointment among his fans but emphasized that he does not wish to offer excuses. He highlighted his past achievements for Pakistan and stressed that he remains grounded despite his fame and financial success. He noted that his parents instilled in him the importance of staying true to his roots.
He also pointed out that several other athletes in the final struggled with the cold conditions, which led to numerous foul throws. Nadeem elaborated that it is particularly challenging for a javelin thrower to maintain consistent and fluid body muscles and rhythm during throws when faced with cold weather.
In the same competition, Sri Lanka‘s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage secured the gold medal with a throw of 89.75 metres. India‘s Neeraj Chopra and Yash Vir Singh claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively. This marked a notable occasion as it was the first time two Indian athletes shared the Commonwealth Games javelin podium.
Future Aspirations and Upcoming Competitions
Despite the setback in Glasgow, Arshad Nadeem expressed confidence in his ability to regain his winning form. He urged his countrymen to continue their support, stating his belief that hard work and commitment are his responsibility, with the ultimate outcome determined by a higher power. He has reconciled with his Commonwealth Games performance, knowing he is capable of better results.
Nadeem’s next competition will be the Athletissima Diamond League in Lausanne, Switzerland, scheduled for August 21. This event is expected to feature a strong field of javelin throwers, including Neeraj Chopra and Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, alongside other prominent athletes like Keshorn Walcott, Anderson Peters, and Thomas Rohler. He hopes to regain his form before the Asian Games later this year.
Nadeem also mentioned that he had hoped the Switzerland event would provide good preparation, but the wet weather and tacky field conditions there also prevented him from achieving his desired results.
He reiterated his dedication to preparing with full commitment for upcoming competitions, with the aim of once again representing Pakistan on the international stage. He stressed that he worked tirelessly while staying in Pakistan for his preparations.
The javelin champion remains determined to make a strong comeback and has asked fans not to lose heart or stop supporting him. He emphasized that any respect and recognition Pakistan has received globally through his efforts are a result of years of hard work.
He will compete next at the Athletissima Diamond League on August 21.
Source: m.rediff.com
