Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem finished ninth in the men’s javelin throw final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, ending his hopes of defending the gold medal he won four years ago.
Nadeem entered the competition as the reigning Commonwealth champion after producing a remarkable 90.18-metre throw at the 2022 Birmingham Games, where he claimed gold and set a new Games record.
However, the 2026 event proved to be a difficult outing for the Pakistani star. After securing his place in the final during the qualification round with a 78.63-metre throw, Nadeem was unable to produce a performance strong enough to challenge for the medals.
His ninth-place finish means Pakistan’s javelin champion will leave Glasgow without adding another Commonwealth medal to his collection. The result is particularly disappointing given Nadeem’s status as the 2024 Paris Olympic champion and one of the world’s leading javelin throwers.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage claimed the Commonwealth Games gold, while India’s Neeraj Chopra won silver with a throw of 85.83 metres. Yashvir Singh secured bronze for India.
Despite the setback, Nadeem remains one of Pakistan’s greatest sporting stars. His Olympic triumph in Paris and historic Commonwealth victory in Birmingham have already cemented his place among the country’s most successful athletes.
The ninth-place finish will nevertheless be a disappointing chapter for the reigning champion, who will now look to regain his best form in upcoming international competitions.
