Summary Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem says he is fully prepared to defend his Commonwealth Games title and will compete in Switzerland before the major event to fine-tune his form.
LAHORE (Web Desk) – Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem says he is fully prepared to defend his Commonwealth Games title, expressing confidence that he is in similar form to his record-breaking 2022 campaign as he targets another historic triumph.
Speaking after his final training session at Punjab Stadium in Lahore, Arshad said preparations for the Commonwealth Games have been completed and he is ready for the challenge ahead.
The star javelin thrower will depart for Switzerland on Monday to compete in an international event before the Commonwealth Games, saying he prefers participating in a competition before every major tournament to assess his strength and overall preparation.
Arshad recalled his memorable performance at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where he won the gold medal with a Games record throw. He said those memories remain fresh and believes he is currently in the same form as he was during that successful campaign.
He acknowledged that being the defending champion for the past four years brings added pressure but said it also motivates him to deliver another strong performance.
The Olympic champion said his biggest competition has always been with himself, although he expects a tougher contest this time, noting that a Sri Lankan athlete has also produced impressive throws. Despite the challenge, he said he is well prepared for the event.
Arshad added that competing on the field always brings pressure, but the key is to remain composed and control those nerves. He said he understands the significance of defending the Commonwealth Games title in his career.
The Pakistani athlete also noted that he was the first athlete in the country's history to secure direct qualification for the Olympic Games. He appealed to fans to keep him in their prayers, asking for good health and the ability to continue delivering his best performances.
