It’s What Got Me Here’: Arshad Nadeem Appeals for Nation’s Prayers Ahead of Olympics Javelin Final

On Wednesday morning, Arshad Nadeem addressed the nation with a message of gratitude: “Thank you for your prayers. Please continue to pray for my success in the final.”

The previous day, the 27-year-old athlete advanced to Thursday night’s final with a standout throw of 86.59 meters at the Stade de France. This was his only attempt in the qualifying round and also his season’s best.

In a video message shared with Dawn.com, Nadeem expressed his appreciation: “Assalamo alaikum, Allah has blessed me with great honor, thanks to your prayers. I have qualified for the [javelin] finals of the Paris 2024 Olympics; this is the result of your prayers.”

Nadeem, who is now Pakistan’s sole hope for a medal as the final competitor in Paris, said, “I’m thrilled to have qualified for the final on my first attempt. Please keep praying for me.”

The final is scheduled for Thursday, August 8, at 11:25 PM PST.

Nadeem continued, “Please keep praying so I can perform my best and win a medal for Pakistan.”

Olympic Javelin Qualifier

Like Nadeem, several other athletes reached the final with a single attempt. India’s Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic and world champion, led with an impressive throw of 89.34 meters, marking his season’s best.

Grenada’s Anderson Peters secured third place with an 88.63-meter throw, while reigning European Champion Julian Weber was fourth with 87.76 meters.

Kenya’s Rio 2016 silver medalist ranked fifth with a throw of 85.97 meters, also his season’s best, while Brazil’s Luiz Maurício da Silva threw a personal best of 85.91 meters, breaking the South American record and placing sixth.

Czech athlete Jakub Vadlejch, who ranks seventh, threw 85.63 meters, which is short of his season best of 88.65 meters.

Finland’s Toni Keranen, making his Olympic debut, achieved a personal and season best with an 85.27-meter throw, placing him eighth.

Moldova’s Andrian Mardare also set a season best, throwing 84.13 meters to rank ninth heading into the final.