'I let you all down': Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem breaks down after World Athletics Championships heartbreak

Arshad Nadeem finished 10th among 12 participants in the men’s javelin throw final.

Among the several surprises and upsets in the men’s javelin final at World Athletics Championships 2025 was the disappointing outing of reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan, who finished 10th and didn’t even make the final two rounds of throws.

Nadeem, who holds both the Olympic and Asian record at 92.97m, could only manage a best attempt of 82.75m. The 28-year-old stunned the world with a record-breaking 92.97m throw to clinch gold in Paris last year.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra’s podium streak ends, Sachin Yadav smashes personal best at World Athletics Championships 2025

Heading into the World Championships with just one event under his belt all season and a season best of 86.40m, Nadeem wasn’t among the favourites but an outside contender.

He qualified for the final with a last-ditch attempt of 85.28m after two sub-80m throws in qualification.

Nadeem, silver medallist at 2023 Budapest World Championships, started the final with a decent opening throw of 82.73m, but there was no improvement in the rest, two ending in fouls.

This left him stranded outside the top eight. For a man who has soared beyond 90 meters at Olympic stage, this was clearly not the Nadeem the world knows. And soon after, he revealed why.

On his social media, Nadeem opened up about the injury that has been affecting his performance since July.

“To be honest, I’ve been dealing with an injury since July, which affected my preparation and fitness level. Despite this challenge, I gave it my all, and I appreciate the experience,” he wrote.

This year in July, Arshad Nadeem underwent surgery on his right calf muscle at Spire Hospital in Cambridge, England. He was recovering in London following the procedure. The injury forced him to miss several events including the Silesia Diamond League in Poland and the Lausanne Diamond League.

Dear Pakistanis,I want to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support and love throughout the World Athletics Championships. Although I couldn't achieve the result I had hoped for in the final, I am proud to have represented our nation on the biggest stage.…

— Arshad Nadeem (@ArshadOlympian1) September 18, 2025

However, Nadeeem thanked his fans for the support. “I want to thank each and every one of you for your unwavering support and love throughout the World Athletics Championships. Although I couldn’t achieve the result I had hoped for in the final, I am proud to have represented our nation on the biggest stage,” he said.

The Olympic champion promised to come back stronger. “Your prayers, messages, and encouragement mean the world to me. I know I let you all down, but I promise to come back stronger and work even harder to make you proud.

Also Read: ‘Belief wasn’t there!’ – Was Neeraj Chopra injured during men’s javelin throw final at World Athletics Championships 2025?

“Thank you for believing in me. I will keep pushing myself to achieve greatness, not just for myself, but for our nation,” he added.

Nadeem won silver at the 2023 World Championships, becoming the first Pakistani athlete ever to win a medal at the event.

At the Paris 2024 Olympics, he made history once again with a gold medal-winning record throw of 92.97 meters, delivering Pakistan’s first Olympic gold in 32 years and its first-ever individual Olympic gold.

Has since he only participated in one tournament at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea in May 2025 where the Pakistani javelin star won gold with a throw of 86.40m.

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