Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has set his sights on a strong comeback at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo after being declared fully fit from a long injury layoff.
The 27-year-old, who underwent calf surgery in Cambridge last year, completed his rehabilitation and returned to training in Lahore. Medical staff cleared him following a series of fitness tests, confirming his readiness for international competition.
> “He’s passed every test we set for him and is in excellent condition,” said his coach, Salman Butt, before the team’s departure from Lahore.
Tokyo Challenge Ahead
Arshad departed for Japan earlier this week alongside Butt, marking Pakistan’s sole male representation at the championships. He will enter the qualifying round on September 17, with the final scheduled for September 18. The contest is expected to draw global attention, particularly his head-to-head battle with India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra.
Support and Promises
The Pakistan Olympic Association recently boosted his preparations with a scholarship worth $1,125 per month until the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. While Arshad has received most of the prize money promised after his Olympic triumph, he revealed that several land plot awards announced by officials never materialized.
> “They were fake promises. I didn’t receive any plots that were announced,” Arshad admitted in a recent interview.
Despite these frustrations, he continues training with discipline and also lends a hand in guiding younger athletes under Butt’s supervision.
Pakistan’s Medal Hope
Arshad has become a household name since his historic Olympic gold, which ended Pakistan’s decades-long drought in athletics. His comeback in Tokyo is seen as a crucial test not just for his career but also for Pakistan’s growing presence in track and field.
Sports analysts believe his duel with Chopra could once again ignite South Asia’s biggest athletics rivalry. “If Arshad is in form, he’s capable of hitting 90 meters again,” one commentator noted, highlighting his potential to challenge the very top.
For Pakistan, all eyes will be on Arshad as he carries the nation’s hopes into Tokyo, aiming not just to compete, but to make history once again.
