Pakistan’s hopes of winning its first gold medal of the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games suffered a blow after javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem was ruled out due to injury. The javelin thrower is one of the biggest names in the Pakistani contingent, and was expected to contend for a gold medal with India’s Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra. A statement attributed to Pakistan’s chef de mission, released by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) said that Arshad complained of pain in his knees after the first session in Hangzhou. “After arrival at Hangzhou at the first training session on 27th September 2023, Mr Arshad Nadeem revealed and complained to Dr Asad Abbas, who was accompanying him on the trip, that he has been grappling with persistent pain for several months, a concern that has become particularly pressing in the aftermath of the World Athletics Championship,” the statement highlighted. “On 2nd October, he again complained of pain in the right knee and expressed a desire to undergo an evaluation to determine the impact on his ability to participate in the Javelin Throw event. The chief medical officer of the Pakistan Contingent recommended a comprehensive check-up.” After this, Nadeem underwent a medical examination, including a non-invasive test i.e. magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a local hospital in Hangzhou, which revealed a long-standing injury. The statement further said that the Javelin thrower, after consulting the medical personnel, decided not to participate in the Asian Games in order to prevent any untoward situation that may hinder his training program and participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Arshad Nadeem ruled out of Asian Games due to injury
