Exclusive: Arshad talks Terseus Liebenberg, 100m throw and continuing until 2036 Olympics

Olympic gold medalist Arshad Nadeem has said that he has learnt a lot from South African coach Terseus Liebenberg which has helped him in his world-class performances especially in the Paris Olympics.

Arshad underwent training under Terseus for a few weeks leading up to the Paris Games where he managed a record throw of 92.97m to earn Olympics gold, the first for Pakistan in any sport since 1984 when the nation lifted gold in hockey in Los Angeles Olympics.

“Yes, Terseus is a good coach. I learnt a lot of things from him. The things which I learnt from Terseus and I think Pakistani coaches did not have that kind of knowledge,” Arshad told Nukta in an interview.

Both Arshad and Pakistan No2 javelin thrower Yasir Sultan had also toured South Africa in 2022 to train under Terseus.

Arshad has now set his eyes on the gold in the World Championship in Tokyo in September 2025 and he also desires to spend a couple of months in South Africa to train under Terseus.

“I have started training and World Championship is my goal. There are a few titles due including World Championship, Asian Games, Asian Championship and Diamond League. Now my prime focus is on the World Championship and I want to do my best in that,” Arshad said.

“Our training pattern is the same but we are working on small things like handling injury issue and we are working to make the same area strong to avoid further injury,” he said.

“As in Pakistan the weather becomes too hot and it boosts injury chances and so, definitely, I would go to South Africa to train under Terseus next summer,” he said.

Arshad was extremely happy with the way he snared such a big medal for the nation in Paris Olympics.

“It’s great that through me God Almighty handed Pakistani nation such a big gift as I won gold in Paris and smashed record,” he said.

“I also delivered well at the Tokyo Olympics and there was hope of a medal but it was not fated. Then I set the goal that in Paris Olympics I will fight for the gold. And before that I won golds in the Commonwealth Games, Islamic Games and World Championship and all these are big titles for me,” he said.

Arshad also said that, before leaving for Paris Games, he was also worried about recurring injuries.

“Before leaving for Paris Games the same injury emerged again during throwing but it was not the same spot but close to the knee. This injury happened on July 21 and our flight was on July 24 but we sorted out the things and we covered that due to Dr Bajwa’s support,” he said.

“We did not throw from July 21 to August 3. We did three throws on August 4 and it created hope that we will do well in the Olympics,” he said.

During the final, Arshad said that the first throw was foul due to overflowing feelings and he also forgot his run-up.

“I thought deeply about my second throw as I also had to qualify for the final throws. When I started run-up and reached the cross step, I thought it would be a good throw. When I released it, I felt it would go over 90m. And it turned out to be an Olympic record. When I met coach Salman Butt, he told me that no one will reach this. There were also more throws in my body and I also shared this with Butt sahib. I then kept on throwing and the final throw also went above 91m,” Arshad said.

“I was expecting if I manage my best throw it could be lengthy, and even can go to 95m if injury did not disturb me,” he said.

Arshad said that the love he got from Pakistani nation following his gold in the Paris Olympics is a big motivation for him.

“And inshaAllah I will also do more in future events,” he said.

Impact of Salman Butt

Asked how much important role coach Salman Butt played in his career Arshad said that he won major medals in his coaching.

“He has trained me and also played a role in surgery of my knees and elbow. He took sponsors or whatever. Had I not passed through those surgeries then it might impede my success which I have achieved,” he said.

“He has looked after me even more than his own children and he is still looking after me,” he said.

He also highlighted his friendship with India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who also has to be his credit golds in Olympics and World Championships.

“Sports teach brotherhood and I and Neeraj played the first competition in the 2016 South Asian Games in India. We respect each other and people also enjoy this,” he said.

Asked what he wants to do for athletics in the country Arshad said he would definitely work on it.

“You know, I have just started to earn honors at the world level and currently the entire focus is on my own training. But I, along with Salman Butt, plan to hold a camp for javelin throwers and will also keep a coach. Whatever we have learnt Butt will also transfer it to coach and also to the javelin throwers,” he said.

“I will also teach them on and off,” he said.

100m throw

Arshad said that he will also try to win gold in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and if he remains fit he can play until the 2036 Olympics.

Arshad also plans to set new world record by going past the 100m mark.

“I still believe that I have 100m throw in me but the thing is how to manage it. It requires plan and proper execution,” Arshad said.

Arshad also brushed aside the notion that he has become arrogant following his gold in the Paris Olympics.

“I am the same Arshad. Yes, people say this that I have been arrogant but it’s not the case. I am too busy and its natural that at one time a person cannot give time to everyone,” he said.

“Now I have started training and targets are big. If we all manage it together. I will give time to everyone and am doing that,” he concluded.