Pakistan’s renowned javelin thrower, Arshad Nadeem, had to withdraw from the Asian Games due to a chronic knee injury, which significantly affected the nation’s medal aspirations.
The Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) official verified that Nadeem conveyed his inability to participate just a day before he was slated to compete in the men’s Javelin Throw finals on Wednesday evening.
According to a statement released by the POA, upon his arrival in Hangzhou for a training session on September 27th, 2023, Nadeem disclosed to Dr. Asad Abbas about the consistent knee pain he’d been experiencing for months, especially after the World Athletics Championship.
By October 2nd, his discomfort had exacerbated, prompting him to seek a thorough medical evaluation. Following the chief medical officer’s advice, Nadeem underwent an MRI scan in a Hangzhou hospital, which diagnosed a pre-existing injury.
In light of these findings and after consultations with medical experts, Nadeem chose to forgo the Asian Games. This decision was made to prioritize his well-being and to ensure his readiness for the forthcoming 2024 Paris Olympics.