HANGZHOU: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem was ruled out of the Asian Games due to a knee injury on Tuesday, officials confirmed, in a major blow to the country’s chances of winning another medal at the event.
The blow to Pakistan came just twenty-four hours before the athlete’s participation at the event as he was set to appear in the men’s Javelin Throw finals on Wednesday evening.
A statement attributed to Pakistan’s chef de mission, issued by POA said that Arshad Nadeem complained of pain in his knees after the first session in Hangzhou.
The statement said that after arrival at Hangzhou at the first training session on 27 September 2023, Arshad Nadeem revealed and complained to Dr Asad Abbas, who was accompanying him on the tour, that he has been struggling with persistent pain for several months, a concern that has become especially pressing in the aftermath of the World Athletics Championship.
The statement added that on 2 October, Arshad again complained of pain in the right knee and expressed a desire to undergo an examination to determine the impact on his ability to participate in the Javelin Throw event. Pakistan Contingent’s chief medical officer recommended a comprehensive check-up.
Arshad Nadeem’s Medical Examination
After this, Nadeem underwent a medical examination, including a non-invasive test of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at a local hospital in Hangzhou, which revealed a long-standing injury.
The statement further said that Nadeem, after consulting the medical personnel, decided not to participate in the event in order to prevent any untoward situation that may hinder his training program and participation in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
