Arshad aims to leave no stone unturned for World Championship glory

Arshad Nadeem’s coach Salman Butt on Monday was happy with the fact that the star javelin thrower secured a gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship 2025, registering a throw of 86.40m.

The 27-year-old had a slow start, but in the final round he showcased his trademark composure and strength, launching the javelin to 86.40m — 6.57m shy of his historic throw at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“It was a new season and a fresh start after so long and you need adjustment as far as circumstances are concerned,” Butt told Nukta in a brief chat.

“No competition is comparable with any other. The parameters of every competition are different both in terms of requirements and competitors,” Butt explained.

In his first two attempts, Arshad registered a throw of 75.64m and 76.80m, but gradually gained momentum managing throws of 85.57m, 83.99m and 83.44m and 86.40m in next four attempts.

“We got gold through two throws in Korea. You can’t manage throws with uniformity in every competition,” said Butt, who has been handling Arshad after the Tokyo Olympics.

“We never go for an event without getting hundred percent ready,” Butt said.

On Sunday, Arshad didn’t manage a majestic throw (92.97m) similar to the one that helped him secure a gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

His coach however, believes that no rest day before the final must have been impeded him from launching a much bigger throw.

“There is one day rest between the qualifying round and the final. This is the first time that it happened. Arshad is of a big frame and his recovery is a bit slow,” the coach revealed.

Gearing up for Tokyo

In his next international competition, Arshad will have to compete in the World Championship 2025 which will take place from September 13–21 in Tokyo.

“We don’t go for break. We will do workout today and also tomorrow and it’s a continuous process,” Butt said.

With three months to prepare, Arshad is expected to undergo training abroad for a few weeks before returning home to give final touch for the World Championship currently held by his Indian rival Neeraj Chopra.

“Our foreign training programme is not yet final and let’s see how the things go,” the coach stressed.

In the last World Championship in Budapest, Hungary, in August 2023, Neeraj had claimed gold with a throw of 88.17 metres while Arshad had finished with a silver with a throw of 87.82m.