Arshad reaches javelin throw final

GOLD COAST: A couple of years ago Pakistan’s premier javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem had told this correspondent that he can do anything in international circuit. And the Mian Channu-born former IAAF Under-20 world No 3 produced something majestic here in Gold Coast on Friday at the first hurdle of the men’s javelin throw event of the 21st Commonwealth Games.Arshad, who rarely feels any pressure, created a new national record by inking an 80.45 metre throw at the Carrara Stadium to qualify for the finals. In fact Arshad from Wapda bettered his own record which was 78.33m which he created in the 2016 South Asian Games athletics event in Guwahati, India, which had also fetched for the athlete a bronze medal.After a fouled first throw, Arshad managed an impressive second throw which was enough for him to progress to the finals. As per rules 78m was the qualifying performance. Of the 12 athletes qualified for the finals, Arshad trails at the second position. As many as 24 athletes took part in the qualification phase who had been bracketed in two groups.Australia’s Hamish Peacock inked an 81.22m throw in his third attempt. If Arshad clicks in the finals to be held on Saturday (today) it would in fact bring Pakistan’s athletics back on the victory stand of the quadrennial event after a few decades.Arshad said he would fight for the gold. “My effort in the qualifying round remained good and I will try for the Gold tomorrow,” Arshad told The News here after his fantastic effort.However the bad news is that he also fells pain in his back. “I feel serious pain in my back but for the sake of the country I will try my best to gift a gold to my nation,” the athlete said. Last Pakistan had grabbed three bronze in athletics in the 1966 Kingston Jamaica Commonwealth Games.In 1954 Vancouver Commonwealth Games Pakistan had claimed one gold, one silver and one bronze in athletics. In 1958 Cardiff edition Pakistan had snared two silver and a couple of bronze medals.The qualifying round show from Arshad has also impressed the Athletics Federation of Pakistan (AFP) president Maj-Gen (retd) Akram Sahi. “No doubt it’s a great effort and we are looking forward to see from Arshad another fine effort in the finals tomorrow,” Sahi told The News. Besides snaring bronze in South Asian Games in India in 2016 Arshad also claimed bronze in the Asian Junior Championships in Vietnam the same year. And in 2017 Baku Islamic Games he earned bronze.Meanwhile it was not a good day for national wrestlers as the two who competed in their respective classes of the freestyle wrestling were exited.After beating Adam Vella of Malta 12-2 in his first bout (pre-quarter-finals) in the 65 kilogramme weight category Abdul Wahab lost his quarter-final 0-10 to Vincent De Marinis of Canada and had to be bowed out.In the 97kg Umair Ahmed fell at the first hurdle when he was smacked by Jordon Steen of Canada 0-11 in the quarter-finals.On Saturday (today) the country’s premier grappler and a gold medal hope Mohammad Inam will compete in the 86kg pre-quarter-finals against Jayden Lawrence of Australia. Tayyab Raza will play four fights in the 125 kg as the event of this class will be played on single league basis with the top three to claim medals. Tayyab will begin with his encounter against Sinivie Boltic of Nigeria. It will be followed by his clash against Claude Kouaman Mbianga of Cameroon, Sumit of India and Korey Jarvis of Canada. Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF) Secretary Arshad Sattar on Friday was optimistic about his boys achievements.“I am confident Inam has a gold chance. If you look at the draws he will face an Indian wrestler in the quarter-final in which Inam’s success chances are 60 per cent. If Inam clears that hurdle he may go to the top,” said Arshad, who is accompanying the squad in Gold Coast as manager. “And Tayyab too has a chance. It is a league process and let’s hope for the best,” Arshad conceded.

from The News International - Sports https://ift.tt/2GWpBYU