Pakistan enjoyed a golden night in Riyadh as Arshad Nadeem secured Pakistan’s first gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games, marking a powerful comeback on the international stage.
Competing at the Prince Faisal bin Fahd Stadium, Arshad entered the javelin throw final as the clear favourite – and he lived up to that billing. He claimed gold with an 83.05m throw on his second attempt, a distance none of his six rivals could match, with no other athlete crossing the 80m mark.
“I’m quite happy because I won this accolade right after my injury,” Arshad said after the event. “I thank God for letting me return to this level and congratulate the nation on this win. Now my focus is on preparing for competitions in 2026.”
His victory is especially significant given his recent struggles with injuries and coaching-related uncertainty, making this triumph a statement of resilience and mental strength.
It was also a memorable night for Muhammad Yasir, who earned silver in dramatic fashion. Sitting in third place behind Nigeria’s Samuel Kure for most of the competition, Yasir produced a clutch final throw of 76.04m, edging past Kure’s 76.01m by just three centimetres.
With Arshad’s gold and Yasir’s silver, Pakistan’s overall tally at the Games has risen to four medals (1 gold, 1 silver, 2 bronze), following earlier boxing bronzes from Fatima Zahra and Qudrat Ullah.
For now, Pakistan celebrates a night defined by pride, perseverance and a javelin hero who continues to inspire millions back home.
