Pakistan javelin throw star Arshad Nadeem’s disappointing performance at the Commonwealth Games has triggered criticism from his former mentors, who have attributed his failure to inadequate training and a lack of focus after his historic Olympic triumph.
Nadeem, who won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics with a record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres, finished ninth among 12 finalists in the men’s javelin event at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games. His campaign struggled from the beginning, with a qualification throw of 78.63 metres before he managed only 77.41 metres in the final.
The event was won by Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage with an 89.75-metre effort, while India’s Neeraj Chopra secured silver and Yash Vir Singh claimed bronze.
Akram Sahi, former president of the Pakistan Athletics Federation and one of the officials who supported Nadeem’s early career, said the athlete’s decline had been visible for several months. He alleged that Nadeem was affected by a lack of proper training and changes in his support system after winning Olympic gold.
“Since Nadeem’s Olympic gold medal, a coterie highjacked him and never let him come to me,” Sahi was quoted as saying.
Another mentor, who chose not to be named, also pointed towards training concerns and said Nadeem’s preparation was affected after his religious pilgrimage and other commitments.
The mentor highlighted the role of South African coach Terseus Liebenberg and training stints at Northwest University in Potchefstroom in Nadeem’s Olympic success, suggesting that similar international exposure was needed for future competitions.
Questions were also raised about Nadeem’s current coaching arrangement, with critics arguing that he requires specialised javelin training support.
Despite the criticism, Sahi welcomed the emergence of South Asian athletes, praising the performances of Pathirage and India’s Yash Vir Singh.