WEBDESK: Olympic gold medalist and javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has arrived in London for medical treatment and professional training ahead of the World Athletics Championship.
Officials of Pakistan High Commission gave him a warm welcome at London Heathrow Airport. He was also welcomed by bouquet of flowers by British Pakistanis who were commending his contributions to the nation.
Speaking to the media, Arshad said he is fully prepared to compete against India’s Neeraj Chopra. “I will take part in the World Athletics Championship with complete preparation,” he said.
“My real competition is with myself, but the match against Neeraj Chopra will be tough too,” he added.
Arshad Nadeem is one of the few Pakistani athletes who have earned global recognition. His upcoming contest with Neeraj Chopra is expected to spark excitement once again among sports fans in both Pakistan and India.
The two javelin stars are set to meet after more than a year, making it one of the most awaited matchups in international athletics.
Earlier, Arshad Nadeem, has taken the step to withdraw his participation at the upcoming World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Event at Switzerland that is slated for July 15. The holder of the javelin who had created history having won Pakistan the first ever medal in the field of athletics in Olympics claimed he had to withdraw as he sustained a minor calf muscle injury during the course of training back in Pakistan.
“I have skipped the event in Switzerland,” Nadeem confirmed. “I’ll now be heading to London on July 14 for focused training. I felt tightness in my calf muscle, and I didn’t want to risk making it worse.”
Arshad Nadeem, who hoped to use the event in Switzerland as part of his training in preparation of the September world athletics championship and the 2024 Paris Olympics, said that his long term aspirations are his first priority.
“I’ve made this decision with my future competitions in mind,” he said. After missing out on Switzerland, his next big target will be the Diamond League in Poland on August 16, followed by the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
The 28-year-old said the severe weather in Pakistan was also the reason behind the decision to train in the UK. “It’s really hot in Pakistan right now, and with the monsoon season starting, training conditions are tough,” Nadeem shared. “In England, the weather is better, which will help me train and recover properly.”
