Arshad set to resume training after returning to Pakistan from England

After spending around three and a half weeks in London for surgery and rehabilitation, Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem has returned home and is set to resume full training in Lahore on Friday.

"Yes, InshaAllah, I will start training on August 15," Arshad told Nukta in an interaction on Wednesday.

The star javelin thrower had sustained a left calf muscle injury during a training session in Lahore. Within a week, he and his coach Salman Butt flew to London, where Arshad underwent surgery under the supervision of Dr Ali Sher Bajwa in Cambridge. Dr Bajwa confirmed to this correspondent that it was a new and acute injury.

This is not Arshad’s first setback. Over the years he has also dealt with elbow, knee and back injuries.

Following a few days of rehabilitation Arshad resumed light training in London, showing positive signs of recovery. Coach Salman Butt expressed optimism about Arshad’s participation in the World Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held in Tokyo from September 13-21.

"Yes, he is doing well. You saw that we managed to train for a few days in London after getting timely treatment for his injury which he sustained during scheduled training,” Butt told Nukta.

“We approached Dr Bajwa promptly, underwent surgery and physiotherapy and now he’s recovering well,” he said.

Butt emphasized that the six-month training block they completed from December to June will be crucial in Arshad’s preparation for the World Championships.

"We trained consistently and effectively for six months. That base will help us. We now have three and a half weeks before Tokyo and hopefully we will make the most of it,” he added.

Prior to his injury Arshad was eyeing participation in the Diamond League’s Poland leg on August 16. However, he had to withdraw due to fitness concerns. Interestingly, India’s Neeraj Chopra, Arshad’s biggest rival, also withdrew from the same event, a development that has raised questions.

It’s a critical period for Arshad as he works to regain top form ahead of the World Championships where a summit finish remains his ultimate goal.

Arshad made history by winning Pakistan’s first Olympic gold medal in 40 years at the Paris Olympics last year, the previous one being the national hockey team’s victory at the 1984 Los Angeles Games. He also clinched gold medals at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games and the 2022 Islamic Solidarity Games in Turkey.

At the 2023 World Championships Arshad secured silver with a throw of 87.82 meters, narrowly missing out on gold to India’s Neeraj Chopra, who recorded 88.17 meters.