Arshad Nadeem Eyes World Athletics Championships Glory

Pakistan's Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem is gearing up for the 2025 World Athletics Championships with his sights firmly set on success in Tokyo. The javelin star, who has been training in the intense heat of Lahore, is set to travel to England for a month-long training stint to fine-tune his preparations.

"My focus is on the World Athletics Championships and I am working hard for that," Arshad said in a recent interaction with reporters in Pakistan. "It is very hot in Lahore. I am going to England soon and will be training there for a month."

Arshad has chosen a selective competition schedule this season. He skipped several major international events but made his presence felt at the Asian Athletics Championships last month, where he secured the gold medal with a throw of 86.40 meters. Notably, India's Neeraj Chopra did not participate in that meet.

The Pakistani athlete etched his name into history at the Paris Olympics last year, setting a new Olympic record with a massive 92.97-meter throw to clinch gold. In doing so, he denied Neeraj a chance to defend his Olympic crown from Tokyo 2021.

Earlier this week, Arshad was the chief guest at a World Olympic Day celebration in Lahore, where he reflected on his journey and offered words of encouragement to young athletes.

"It is a matter of pride for athletes to celebrate this day and I am proud that I am celebrating it as an Olympic gold medallist for the first time," Arshad said. "My message to the youngsters is to stay focused. I came from a small place and won a gold medal. So, if they work hard, they too can win medals."

Meanwhile, Neeraj Chopra secured his second victory of the year at the Ostrava Golden Spike meet with a throw of 85.29 meters. The event, hosted by his coach and javelin world record holder Jan Zelezny, also featured 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Röhler.

Neeraj had earlier won the Paris Diamond League but had finished second to Germany's Julian Weber at both the Doha Diamond League and the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial.

As the Tokyo World Championships approach, the javelin rivalry between Arshad and Neeraj is expected to take center stage once again.