“I made that javelin myself in 2012,” Nadeem mentioned throughout an interview with ARY Information channel, recalling his tough highway to glory in a sport that does not have many takers in Pakistan. Nadeem has turn into a nationwide hero since his triumph on the Paris Olympics on August eighth. He clinched the gold medal within the javelin throw occasion, surpassing his Indian rival and defending champion, Neeraj Chopra, who secured the silver medal.
Nadeem’s excellent efficiency has not solely introduced him fame but in addition substantial monetary rewards.
The Prime Minister of Pakistan, Shehbaz Sharif, has pledged to award him 150 million rupees ($538,000), whereas Mariam Nawaz, the chief minister of Punjab, personally handed him a examine for 100 million rupees ($359,000) throughout a go to to his village final Tuesday.
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Moreover, Murad Ali Shah, the chief minister of Sindh, has promised to present Nadeem 50 million rupees ($179,500).
Rising up in a nation of 250 million folks the place cricket reigns supreme, it was pure for Nadeem to initially pursue cricket at a younger age. Nevertheless, it was solely after his elder brother and father inspired him to discover javelin or shot put that Nadeem determined to shift his focus away from cricket and dedicate himself to those athletic disciplines.
“(They) informed me ‘strive shot put or javelin as a result of there’s an opportunity you would possibly excel in a person sport reasonably than a crew recreation like cricket,’,” Nadeem recalled.
His rise to prominence on the worldwide stage got here when he secured a bronze medal on the South Asia Federation Video games in Guwahati, India. It was throughout this competitors that Nadeem had first got here throughout Chopra, the gold medallist.
Chopra’s success continued on the Tokyo Olympics, the place he clinched the gold medal. Nadeem additionally delivered a formidable efficiency, throwing a distance of 84.62 meters and ending in fifth place.
“I began to coach for Paris quickly after Tokyo Olympics as a result of I knew it, I can do one thing particular for Pakistan,” Nadeem mentioned within the TV interview that aired on Thursday.
Pakistan’s final Olympic gold medal victory dates again to the 1984 Los Angeles Video games, the place the boys’s discipline hockey crew emerged triumphant.
On the Paris Olympics, Pakistan despatched a small contingent of simply seven athletes. Six of them competed in swimming, monitor, and capturing occasions however have been unable to safe any medals. Consequently, Nadeem discovered himself because the nation’s solely remaining prospect for a podium end.
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“I ended watching social media two days earlier than the qualifying spherical as a result of I used to be the final hope of tens of millions of Pakistanis again residence,” Nadeem mentioned.
Within the qualifying spherical, he launched the javelin past the 86-metre mark, securing his spot within the ultimate. Nevertheless, throughout his first try within the ultimate, he registered a foul throw. Undeterred, he regrouped for his second throw. With explosive energy, he hurled the javelin a staggering distance of 92.97 meters, shattering the earlier Olympic File and etching his title within the annals of athletics historical past.
“When he first got here to me 12 years in the past, I had a perception that at some point he’ll go over the 90-meter mark,” mentioned Nadeem’s preliminary coach Arshad Ahmed Saqi, who first despatched Nadeem to a provincial degree event in Lahore in 2012 from a small village of Mian Channu district in Punjab province.
Nadeem mentioned he was assured of successful gold after his second throw within the ultimate in Paris, however strived to go even additional in his final 4 makes an attempt.
“I knew it I might do it,” Nadeem mentioned. “Even my final throw was over 90 meters as a result of I believed in myself. Hopefully at some point I’ll break the world document.”
Nadeem’s household again residence stayed awake till the early hours of the morning, watching him stay on tv.
His spouse, Ayesha, spent the evening in prayer, hoping for his success.
“I didn’t sleep for 3 nights,” mentioned Ayesha. “I knew he might do it, and I didn’t cease praying for him.”
(With AP inputs)
