Pakistan’s javelin ace Arshad Nadeem has made history after he won a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw competition at the World Athletics Championship in Hungary's capital Budapest on Sunday night, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.
Arshad Nadeem created history as this was Pakistan's first-ever medal at the World Athletics Championship.
Arshad Nadeem made his best throw of 87.82 meters in his third attempt and secured the medal.
India's Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal with his best throw of 88.17 meters. Jakub Vadlejch of the Czech Republic won bronze medal with an 86.67 meters throw.
Arshad started off with a 74.80m throw, while India’s Neeraj Chopra began with a foul but the Pakistani javelin ace came back in the race with an excellent 82.81m throw in his second attempt.
However, it was Arshad's third attempt which was the biggest breakthrough as it went 87.82m to secure the second spot on the points table.
Arshad and Neeraj will be next seen in action during the Paris 2024 Olympics.
It was a tense final between long-term competitors and friends from across the border. Ultimately it was Neeraj who trumped Arshad and kept his head-to-head record of winning intact.
Both athletes have finished three times on podium together- 2016 South Asian Games, 2018 Asian Games, and 2023 World Athletics Championships.
In a heartwarming moment after the tense finish, both athletes were seen embracing each other with warmth.
Neeraj is the first Indian in history to win a gold medal at the World Championships, while Arshad is the first Pakistani athlete to win any medal at the event.
Later, Neeraj called Arshad to take a picture with him and the bronze medalist Jakub Vadljech of the Czech Republic.