Athletics Archives

PCB chairman hails Arshad Nadeem’s gold medal win at Asian Athletics Championship

Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) Chairman Mohsin Naqvi has extended heartfelt congratulations to Arshad Nadeem after he clinched gold in the javelin final at the Asian Athletics Championship in Gumi, South Korea.

Arshad Nadeem, while competing internationally for the first time since last year’s Paris Olympics, has once again made the nation proud.

He clinched the gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship with a stunning throw of 86.40 meters in the men’s javelin throw final.

In a statement brimming with national pride, Naqvi lauded Arshad’s achievement, calling it a moment of honour for the entire nation.

“Well done, Arshad Nadeem, well done! We are proud of you,” said Naqvi.

He also congratulated Arshad’s coach and family, acknowledging the role they played behind the scenes.

“Arshad is a true son of the soil, and once again, he has made every Pakistani hold their head high with pride,” Mohsin Naqvi added.

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The Olympic champion started off with throws of 75.64m and 76.80m in his first two attempts, gradually building momentum before hitting his peak in the final round.

Meanwhile, the PCB Chairman highlighted the immense joy his victory has brought to the people of Pakistan.

“This victory is a result of sheer hard work, dedication, and unwavering commitment,” said Naqvi.

He went on to say that the entire nation is overjoyed by this historic feat and proud of Arshad, one of Pakistan’s most gifted athletes.

“Arshad has truly won hearts by making Pakistan’s flag fly high in South Korea,” the PCB chief stated.

Mohsin Naqvi also emphasised the significance of defeating top athletes from countries like India to win the championship.

“Beating athletes from India and other nations and winning the title is a massive honour for Pakistan,” he said.

READ: Arshad Nadeem wins gold at Asian Athletics Championship with 86.40m throw

Arshad Nadeem wins gold at Asian Athletics Championship with 86.40m throw

Pakistan’s superstar Arshad Nadeem has once again made the nation proud, this time clinching the gold medal at the Asian Athletics Championship with a stunning throw of 86.40 meters in the men’s javelin throw final at Gumi, South Korea, on Wednesday.

Competing internationally for the first time since last year’s Paris Olympics, where he famously won Pakistan’s first-ever singles gold, all eyes were on Nadeem as he returned to the big stage. And once again, he delivered.

With ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ echoing through the stadium, Arshad launched his javelin deep into the Gumi sky on his final (sixth) attempt, surpassing his own previous best of 85.57m set earlier in the competition.

The Olympic champion started off with throws of 75.64m and 76.80m in his first two attempts, gradually building momentum before hitting his peak in the final round.

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He had already made headlines a day earlier during the qualification round, recording a jaw-dropping 86.34m throw on his first and only attempt, sending a strong message to his rivals ahead of the final.

Nadeem’s golden throw not only secured top spot on the podium but also reaffirmed his place among the continent’s elite javelin throwers.

Chairman South Asian Athletics Association, Major General (R) Muhammad Akram Sahi, congratulated Arshad Nadeem on his sensational achievement.

President of the Athletics Federation of Pakistan, Brigadier (R) Wajahat Hussain Sahi, also extended his greetings to the nation on Arshad’s win, calling it a moment of pride for every Pakistani.

Meanwhile, Secretary Colonel (R) Shah Jehan and other federation officials also hailed the champion’s efforts and lauded his commitment to excellence.

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MMA Emerges as Pakistan’s Top-Performing Sport of 2024

In a nation brimming with youthful energy and untapped potential, mixed martial arts (MMA) has emerged as the most dynamic and impactful sporting movement in Pakistan in 2024.

MMA outperformed every other sport in the country last year, solidifying its position as a beacon of progress and innovation.

Despite operating without the financial backing or media spotlight that other sports enjoy, MMA continues to set unprecedented benchmarks both locally and internationally.

This success is a testament to the strategic efforts of the Pakistan MMA Federation and its visionary leadership.

MMA: A Dominant Force in Pakistan’s Sports Landscape

While traditional sports have long dominated Pakistan’s athletic scene, MMA has captured the imagination of the nation’s youth at an unmatched pace.

Through grassroots initiatives, strategic partnerships, and an unyielding commitment to athlete development, the sport achieved unparalleled success in 2024.

The Pakistan MMA Federation, under the leadership of its President Omar Ahmed, has built a resilient and innovative ecosystem for MMA.

By prioritizing grassroots development and creating pathways for international success, the Federation has positioned MMA as a unifying force for Pakistan.

Omar Ahmed’s role has been central in steering this vision, but the collective effort of the Federation’s team has amplified its impact.

Historic Milestones and Unmatched Achievements

This year, MMA achieved a series of groundbreaking milestones. Key among them was Brave CF 92, where Pakistani fighters dominated their Indian counterparts with a historic 5-0 victory.

The event reignited a storied sporting rivalry and captured global attention, highlighting Pakistan’s growing supremacy in combat sports.

The IMMAF Asian Championship, hosted in Lahore, became the largest sporting event in the country’s history.

Welcoming over 350 athletes from 18 nations and broadcast to 144 countries in 22 languages, the championship brought global recognition to Pakistan’s MMA scene.

Rising stars like Rizwan Ali and Ismail Khan are now on the cusp of becoming the first Pakistanis to enter the UFC, a milestone that would elevate the nation’s standing in global MMA.

These achievements are the result of the Pakistan MMA Federation’s structured approach, which combines practical leadership with long-term planning.

By fostering international collaborations and focusing on grassroots development, the Federation has ensured MMA’s consistent growth despite limited resources.

Empowering Women Through MMA

MMA’s success in 2024 extended beyond athletic achievements to becoming a platform for empowerment and inclusivity.

Fighters like Bano Butt and Eman Khan have inspired countless young women to break barriers and pursue combat sports.

Bano’s bronze medal at the IMMAF World Championships and Eman’s rise in the national circuit symbolize how MMA is reshaping traditional narratives.

The Pakistan MMA Federation’s dedication to inclusivity and diversity has made MMA a powerful force for social progress.

This commitment reflects the Federation’s strategic vision to create opportunities for all, making MMA a sport that champions equality and empowerment.

Driving a Self-Sustaining Sporting Economy

Unlike many other sports in Pakistan, MMA has proven its potential to fuel a self-sustaining economy.

High-profile events, sponsorships, and international partnerships have generated employment opportunities and attracted investment, making MMA a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economic landscape.

This success is rooted in the Pakistan MMA Federation’s methodical approach. By aligning grassroots efforts with global opportunities, the Federation has positioned MMA as a dynamic economic force.

Under Omar Ahmed’s leadership, this vision has translated into tangible results, turning MMA into one of the country’s most sustainable and impactful sports.

A Future Full of Promise

As MMA continues to dominate Pakistan’s sporting landscape, the Pakistan MMA Federation has ambitious goals for the future.

These include hosting Brave CF annually, sending the first Pakistani fighter to the UFC, and further integrating MMA into Pakistan’s cultural and economic fabric.

The Federation’s efforts are guided by a clear vision: to make MMA not just a sport but a source of national pride and opportunity.

Omar Ahmed’s role in shaping this vision, alongside the collective dedication of the Federation, ensures that MMA’s growth is built on a foundation of resilience, inclusivity, and innovation.

The Time for MMA’s Spotlight

Despite its remarkable achievements in 2024, MMA in Pakistan still awaits the recognition it deserves. Outperforming every other sport, it has proven itself as a transformative movement for unity and progress.

The systematic efforts of the Pakistan MMA Federation, bolstered by the leadership of Omar Ahmed and his team, have made MMA a symbol of hope and opportunity.

Now, it’s time for Pakistan to give MMA the spotlight it has undeniably earned, recognizing it as the nation’s most impactful and inspiring sporting phenomenon.

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Pakistan out of another medal race as sprinter Faiqa falters in Paris

Pakistan’s only sprinter competing in the ongoing Paris Olympics 2024, Faiqa Riaz, failed to progress in the Athletics event.

Faiqa competed in Heat 2 of the preliminary round of women’s 100-meter race and could finish sixth.

The qualification scenario was such that the top three athletes from each of the Heats were supposed to advance to the first round while five more athletes, boasting next best timings were supposed to join them.

Meanwhile, Faiqa Riaz failed to achieve any of the aforementioned feat to ensure his qualification as she took 12.49 seconds in the 100-meter race.

Prior to that, Pakistan shooters Kishmala Talat and Gulfam Joseph alongside swimmers Jehanara Nabi and Ahmed Durrani failed to progress further in the ongoing Paris Olympics.

The duo of Joseph and Kishmala competed in 10m air pistol mixed doubles but failed to make it into the next round.

The Pakistan shooters could only manage 571 points out of 600 and finished 14th out of 17.

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As a result, both Pakistan shooters Gulfam Joseph and Kishmala Talat have been knocked out of all 10m air pistol competitions.

However, Kishmala will represent Pakistan in the 25m Pistol Women’s qualification on August 2 while Ghulam Mustafa Bashir will partake 25m Rapid Fire Pistol Men’s Qualification on August 4.

Remember, Pakistan had an unwanted start to their Paris Olympics 2024 campaign as their shooters Gulfam Joseph and Kishmala Talat failed to qualify for the 10m air pistol finals in respective categories.

The same was the case for the country in swimming as Durrani and Jehanara failed to qualify for the next round in their respective events.

Ahmed Durrani participated in the men’s 200-meter freestyle swimming event and unfortunately finished last in his heat.

Later, he ended up in 25th place out of 25 swimmers. His time was 11 seconds slower than the swimmer who secured the final spot for the semifinals.

In the women’s 200-meter freestyle swimming competition, Jehanara Nabi finished in 26th place out of 30 swimmers. Despite putting up a strong effort, she was unable to break into the top 16.

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Arshad Nadeem expresses satisfaction over fourth place finish in Diamond League

Pakistan’s top javelin thrower, Arshad Nadeem, expressed his satisfaction after finishing in fourth place at the Paris Diamond League on Sunday.

Nadeem, while talking to a local media channel, stated that he is pleased with his return to the field after a year and is preparing for the upcoming Paris Olympics.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to do my best at the Olympics,” he said.

Arshad Nadeem will return to Pakistan and train under his coach Salman Butt before returning to Paris to participate in the Olympics.

“God willing, I’ll use these two weeks of training to make up for any deficiencies,” Nadeem added.

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The star athlete kicked off in Diamond League with a 74.11-meter throw on his first attempt, followed by an 80.28-meter throw on the second try.

The star athlete’s third throw went for 82.71 meters, which placed him in the top three, however, he was surpassed by the Czech Republic’s Jacob Vadlejch, who threw at 85.04.

Nadeem needed a big throw in his fifth attempt to trump Vadlejch, but he failed to do so, achieving an 84.21-meter throw, thus ending in fourth position.

Germany’s Weber Julian won the gold medal in the javelin throw competition, courtesy of an 85.91-meter throw, which he achieved in his fifth attempt.

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Farah says 2023 London Marathon will be his last

LONDON: British athletics great Mo Farah has said this year’s London Marathon will likely be his last as he contemplates the end of a brilliant career.

The 40-year-old is best known for his success on the track winning gold in the 5,000 and 10,000 metres at both the London 2012 and Rio 2016 Olympic Games, as well as several world titles across both distances.

And while his marathon career has reached nothing like the same heights, Farah is keen to run in London again after missing last year’s edition even though he will be 40 by the time of the April 23 race

“It’s been an amazing career and taking part in the London Marathon is a very big deal,” he said in a statement issued by event organisers.

“I was gutted not to race last year and I just want to give it one more shot.

“It depends on my body. I just want to get to the start line and see what I can manage. I’m just taking one race at a time.”

He added: “I’m not a spring chicken any more. You can’t keep coming back in the right shape and, for me, I’d love to be able to finish it at home.”

Farah has ruled out competing at the 2024 Olympics in Paris, but may yet try to finish his time as a British international at this year’s World Championships in Budapest.

“I’m not going to go to the Olympics and I think 2023 will be my last year,” he added.

“But if it came down to it towards the end of the year and you did get picked for your country, I’d never turn that down.”

Farah last ran in London in 2019, coming fifth, having finished third the year before.

“So it’s been a little while,” he said. “But I’ll be preparing well, I’ll head out to Ethiopia and put in a lot of solid training and see what I can do when it comes to April.”

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Arshad Nadeem gets international scholarship until Paris Olympics 2024

BIRMINGHAM: National Javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem, who shone in the ongoing Commonwealth Games as he claimed a historic gold medal for Pakistan, got the reward for his astonishing performance.

In a video message, Arshad expressed gratitude for his outstanding performance at the Games and announced that the International Olympic Committee (IOC) had granted him a scholarship to help with his training for the Paris Olympics 2024.

“First of all, I would like to thank Almighty Allah for making me capable enough of winning the gold medal for Pakistan. I am honoured for being awarded a scholarship by International Olympic Committee which will help me prepare for Paris Olympics 2024,” Arshad shared.

“On this occasion, I would like to thank Pakistan Olympic Association, Pakistan Sports Board, and Pakistan Athletics Federation for their efforts to arrange this scholarship for me,” Arshad added.

It is pertinent to mention here that the 25-year-old defied his elbow injury on Sunday to set a new Games record and claimed a historic gold medal for Pakistan.

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Shajar sets national record, finishes fourth in 100m sprint in Islamic Games

KONYA: National sprinter Shajar Abbas carried on his exceptional momentum in the recently-commenced Islamic Solidarity Games and finished fourth in the Heat 3 of the first round of Men’s 100m sprint.

Shajar, who had a frustrating end to his Commonwealth Games as he finished last in the final heat, shone in the Islamic Games as he amassed 100m in a record 10.25 seconds to finish fourth in the proceedings.

Following his astounding performance, the national sprinter has qualified for the next round of the Men’s 100m race.

Besides Shajar, his compatriots Abdul Mueed Baloch and Urooj Kiran will also be in action in the Men’s 400m and Women’s 100m sprint respectively.

Another national athlete Ahmed Saeed Randhawa will be in action in the 400m hurdles race, whereas, Jamshed Ali will partake in the opening round of Shot-put.

It is pertinent to mention here that national Table Tennis player Hoor Fawad outclassed Uganda’s top player Irene Nekesa to qualify for the pre-quarterfinal of women’s singles.

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Tokyo to host 2025 World Athletics Championships: official

EUGENE: The 2025 World Athletics Championships will return to Tokyo, the sport’s global governing body announced Thursday.

The World Athletics Council confirmed that Tokyo would stage the championships for the second time after beating out competition from Kenya, Poland and Singapore.

It means Tokyo’s Olympic Stadium will get the chance to host a major athletics event in a packed venue, four years after staging the pandemic-delayed Olympic games in an empty arena.

“Within an extremely strong field of candidates to host the World Athletics Championships 2025, Tokyo offered a compelling bid,” World Athletics president Sebastian Coe said in a statement.

“I hope this will be a shining light for Japan as they celebrate 100 years of the Japanese Association of Athletics Federations (JAAF) in 2025, by bringing world-class athletics back to the people in Tokyo.”

Tokyo last hosted the World Championships in 1991, in an event best remembered for American long-jumper Mike Powell’s world record-breaking leap of 8.95m (29ft 4.4in) to eclipse Bob Beamon’s long-standing 1968 mark.

“History has shown that we have the ability and energy to host the world’s top athletes and to inspire international audiences,” JAAF President Mitsugi Ogata said in a statement.

“We promise that the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo will be full of fans to become an unforgettable experience for the athletes and everyone involved,” Ogata added.

The decision was announced on the eve of this year’s World Championships, which start on Friday at Eugene’s Hayward Field in Oregon.

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National Boxing Championship kicks off November 30

LAHORE: National Boxing Championship will commence from November 30 here, this correspondent reported.

In a press conference on Monday, the President of Pakistan Boxing Federation (PBF) – Mohammad Khalid Mahmood announced the dates of the National Boxing Championship.

“The National Boxing Championship will take place from November 30-December 5. 12 teams will participate in Men’s event whereas seven in women’s,” he said.

“There will be 153 competitions in different weight categories in the championship till,” Mahmood added.

Meanwhile, Secretary-General of PBF – Nasir Ijaz assured that all International Boxing Association (IBA) rules will be followed. “The championship has 145 male boxers and 27 female boxers competing. All IBA rules and regulations would be followed during the competition,” he said.

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