Athletics

Arshad Nadeem, the javelin thrower from Pakistan, will not participate in the upcoming Diamond League event in Lausanne.

  • Authored By: Sports Now
  • Updated Aug 13, 2026, 03:37 IST

Pakistan's javelin champion, Arshad Nadeem, forgoes the Diamond League to prepare in South Africa for the forthcoming Asian Games.

Arshad Nadeem, the javelin thrower from Pakistan, will not participate in the upcoming Diamond League event in Lausanne.

Arshad Nadeem, the celebrated javelin thrower from Pakistan and an Olympic gold medalist, has opted out of the upcoming Diamond League event in Lausanne, prioritizing his preparation for the Asian Games and other international competitions. His coach, Salman Butt, confirmed that Nadeem is currently training in Lahore but will soon head to South Africa for an intensive training camp.

Butt explained that the decision to skip the Diamond League, scheduled for August 21, was made to ensure Nadeem is fully prepared for the Asian Games later this year in Japan. “He has decided against competing in the Diamond League meet this month as he wants to be ready for the Asian Games,” Butt stated. Nadeem's training will take place in Potchefstroom, a location where he has previously trained successfully ahead of major competitions, including the 2022 Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympics.

Recent Performance and Future Plans

Nadeem's recent performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow was disappointing, as he failed to qualify for the finals, finishing ninth. The event saw Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage clinch the gold with a throw of 89.75 meters, while Indian athletes Neeraj Chopra and Yash Vir Singh secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively. This marked a historic moment as it was the first time two Indian competitors shared the podium in javelin throw at the Commonwealth Games.

Despite the setback, Nadeem remains focused on his training regimen. He is expected to spend two weeks in South Africa, where he will work under the guidance of his coach, Terseus Liebenberg, and local trainers. Following this training camp, Nadeem is slated to compete in the World Athletics Ultimate Championships in Budapest from September 6 to 14, before heading to the Asian Games. Butt mentioned that Nadeem is currently awaiting his visa to travel to South Africa, emphasizing the athlete's commitment to improving his performance ahead of these significant events.