3 weeks ago
Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem Blames Cold Weather for Glasgow Struggle
Arshad Nadeem is a famous javelin thrower from Pakistan.
He threw the javelin farther than anyone at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, winning a gold medal.
Recently, he competed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The weather there was very cold, and Nadeem said his muscles became stiff.
Because of that, he could not throw well and finished in ninth place.
Some people wrote unkind comments about him on the internet, which made him feel sad.
Nadeem said he is not angry or proud because of his fame, and he still works very hard.
Other throwers also found the cold weather difficult, with many foul throws in the final.
A thrower from Sri Lanka won the gold medal, and two throwers from India won silver and bronze.
Nadeem believes he can do much better and will compete again in August.
Arshad Nadeem finished ninth in the men's javelin final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow with a best throw of 77.41 metres.
He attributed the poor showing to extremely cold weather that stiffened his muscles and disrupted his run-up.
Nadeem said hurtful social media comments after the event upset him and stressed he remains grounded despite fame.
Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won gold with 89.75m, while India's Neeraj Chopra and Yash Vir Singh took silver and bronze, the first shared Indian javelin podium at the Games.
Nadeem will next compete at the Athletissima Diamond League in Lausanne on August 21 alongside Chopra and Pathirage.
- Who
- Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan's Olympic champion javelin thrower, along with fellow medallists from Sri Lanka and India
- What
- Finished ninth in the men's javelin final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games and responded to social media criticism over the result
- Where
- Glasgow
- When
- At the recently concluded 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow
- Why
- Nadeem said the extremely cold weather left his body stiff and cramped, preventing him from generating the run-up and momentum needed for his throws
Nadeem's Account
Social Media Critics
Reason for the Glasgow result
Nadeem's Account
Nadeem says his ninth-place finish was due to the extremely cold weather, which left his body stiff and cramped, and notes that several other finalists also struggled, resulting in numerous foul throws.
Social Media Critics
Some social media users posted hurtful and disrespectful comments about Nadeem's performance, which he described as heartless and unfair given the medals he has previously brought for the country.
Key facts
- Athlete
- Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan)
- Event
- Men's javelin final, 2026 Commonwealth Games
- Finish
- 9th place — best throw 77.41m
- Olympic achievement
- Gold at Paris 2024 with Olympic record 92.97m
- Gold medallist
- Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka), 89.75m
- Silver and bronze
- Neeraj Chopra and Yash Vir Singh (India)
- Blamed factor
- Extremely cold weather causing stiff muscles
- Next competition
- Athletissima Diamond League (Lausanne), August 21
Quotes
Arshad Nadeem
Pakistani Olympic javelin champion and 2024 Olympic gold medallist
“"I don't want to offer excuses for what happened, but those making hurtful and disrespectful comments about me should realise that I am a son of the soil and have brought medals for this country in the past."”
rediff.com
“"It becomes very difficult for a Javelin Thrower to keep his body muscles and rhythm consistent and fluid during the throws because of the cold."”
rediff.com






