Why did Arshad Nadeem perform poorly at Worlds? Coach Salman Butt explains

Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem’s below-par performance in the World Athletics Championships raised many questions surrounding his fitness, preparation and recovery.

His coach Salman Butt, during an exclusive interview with Nukta, explained what obstructed him from managing his standard throw in the global event which concluded in Tokyo the other day.

Butt said that Arshad Nadeem was in top shape before the competition. "We were completely fit here and we did exercise in front of you also," Butt told this correspondent in a detailed chat.

“Recovery was complete. We were following the instructions of Dr Ali Sher Bajwa meticulously,” he was quick to add.

However, things began to take a turn when the team arrived at the venue just a day before the qualification round.

“The track was tight,” Butt explained, “but we didn’t think much of it.”

“As a precautionary measure Dr Bajwa applied tapping before the qualification round. When he managed a throw of 85 metre plus he was fit and so he did otherwise he could not do that and through this his calf area tightened a bit,” he revealed.

“We went back to the hotel and Dr Bajwa reassessed it. Luckily the surgical area was intact but there was a slight strain, may be due to surface of the track,” Butt explained.

“He told us the next day that he was feeling fresh and only needed a light massage,” said the coach.

“But on the day of the final that strain did not allow him to produce his standard throw. He felt it mentally and physically,” Butt added.

Butt admitted that while the surgical recovery had gone well within two months this unexpected calf strain dashed hopes of an optimal performance in the global event.

“The good thing is that the operated zone was not damaged,” Butt confirmed.

“He will take a few days of rest, apply icing and then we will resume his capacity-building and throwing work. InshaAllah, in six to eight weeks, he will be back in better shape,” Butt said.

When asked whether Arshad would participate in the upcoming competitions like the Islamic Games Butt responded cautiously.

“It depends on fitness,” he said.

“Once we get the strengthening and conditioning schedule from Dr Bajwa, we will continue his training. Then we will put him through a final test before making any decision,” Butt said.

Butt said that this is not the first time Arshad Nadeem has faced fitness challenges.

“After the Tokyo Olympics he came to me with an elbow issue that had been lingering for nearly three years. Before that he also had knee problems. Even during the recent Olympics he was not completely free from issues,” he said.

Butt also took a moment to reflect on how unpredictable elite sports can be and how Arshad was not alone in underperforming.

“Julian Weber was the world No1 and he finished fifth. Luiz Mauricio Da Silva from Brazil did not even qualify for the finals. Neeraj Chopra, who had a 90-metre throw before the event, failed to impress. Jakub Vadlejch did not qualify either. Yego got injured and had to withdraw,” Butt said.

Despite Arshad’s disappointment Butt was gracious in acknowledging the success of others.

“We did not expect those who got the top three positions to do so based on their performances over the last few years. But it was their day. I congratulate them,” Butt said.

Butt said that the event conditions, too, were unforgiving.

“The weather was extremely hot and humid and there was absolute sweating. After throwing they had to seek shade just to recover,” he recalled.

Butt ended on a note of resilience and determination, saying Arshad Nadeem’s journey is far from over.

“Despite the setback he remains a beacon of potential in Pakistan’s athletic future,” he said.

“Every athlete has setbacks. But champions find their way back. Arshad is a fighter. With proper recovery, training and faith we believe he will return to the international stage not just to compete but to dominate inshaAllah,” Butt signed off.

Arshad managed a throw of 82.75 metre to finish at the tenth position in the finals.

Arshad had bewildered the world by managing a monster throw of 92.97m in the Paris Olympics last year to clinch gold. This is also Olympics record.

In Tokyo World Championship Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago won gold with a throw of 88.16m. He was followed by former two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada (87.38m) and Curtis Thompson of USA (86.67m) with silver and bronze, respectively. Reigning world champion and former Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra of India recorded a throw of only 84.03m to finish eighth overall.