Pakistan’s champion just suffered an unexpected setback. Reigning Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem javelin campaign ended without a medal at Commonwealth Games 2026. Therefore, the defending champion was knocked out after the first three rounds. Moreover, he failed to secure a top-eight finish, eliminating him from medal contention entirely.
Nadeem won the previous Commonwealth Games in 2022 with a sensational 90.18-metre throw. He came to Birmingham defending that title with confidence. Still, his performance deteriorated dramatically from the start. His opening attempt resulted in a foul immediately. Consequently, he began his defense from a difficult position.
Arshad Nadeem’s Attempts in Order:
- First attempt: Foul
- Second attempt: 77.41 metres
- Third attempt: 75.39 metres
The 29-year-old got onto the leaderboard with his second throw. A 77.41-metre effort placed him in ninth position after round two. However, he needed significant improvement to remain competitive. His third attempt proved disappointing at 75.39 metres. Consequently, he remained in ninth spot, eliminating him from medal consideration.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage claimed gold with a stunning throw. His 89.75-metre effort came in the second round. Notably, all five remaining attempts resulted in fouls. Still, the initial throw proved sufficient for victory.
Former champion Neeraj Chopra of India captured silver. He delivered a season-best 85.83 metres in the second round. Additionally, his consistency proved valuable. Meanwhile, Yash Vir Singh earned bronze for India. He nailed a brilliant 85.41-metre throw in his final attempt.
Nadeem’s qualifying round performance foreshadowed final struggles. He finished seventh during qualification with 78.63 metres. No athlete achieved the automatic 84-metre standard during qualifying. Therefore, the top 12 competitors advanced based on best throws.
Sri Lanka’s Ramesh Tharanga topped qualifying with 82.84 metres. England’s Ben East placed among the top five. Meanwhile, Neeraj Chopra finished fifth at 79.61 metres. Pakistan’s Yasir Sultan failed to qualify entirely, finishing 14th with 74.36 metres.
The Arshad Nadeem javelin performance marks a significant disappointment for Pakistan’s athletics program. Finally, the reigning champion’s early exit represents an unexpected upset at Commonwealth Games 2026.
