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Arshad Nadeem received a rousing reception upon returning home. (AP Photo)
Arshad Nadeem won the javelin throw event in Paris with an Olympic Games record of 92.97 metres, pushing India’s Neeraj Chopra to second spot.
Awards are raining on Pakistan’s golden boy Arshad Nadeem who recently created history by winning javelin throw gold in the men’s competition at the Paris Olympics. He’s being showered with valuable prizes but his father-in-law has decided to bestow him with a unique gift: a buffalo.
Muhammad Nawaz, Nadeem’s father-in-law, says gifting a buffalo is considered “very valuable” and “honourable” in their village and goes well with the rural upbringing and tradition.
Nadeem won the javelin throw event with an Olympic record of 92.97 metres, with India’s Neeraj Chopra finishing second.
“Nadeem also takes great pride in his roots and despite the success, his home still remains his village and he still lives with his parents and brothers,” Nawaz said.
Nawaz, who has four sons and three daughters, says his youngest daughter Ayesha is married to Nadeem.
Nadeem relied on fellow villagers and relatives donating money so that he could travel to different cities for training and competing abroad during his early days.
Nawaz also said that when he decided to marry his daughter to Nadeem, he was a man of limited means but had the hunger to do well in sports for which he used to train in village fields.
“When we decided to marry our daughter to Nadeem six years back, at that time he used to do small jobs and run errands but was extremely passionate about his sport and constantly practised throwing the javelin at home and in the fields,” said Nawaz.
Nawaz added that he was very happy with Nadeem’s success and fame, adding that the javelin thrower, who became the first individual medallist from the country, was very respectful towards everyone.
“Whenever he comes to our house he never complains about anything and eats whatever is there at our home,” he said.
“Two of his children have started going to the local primary school in the village while one son is still very young.”
With PTI inputs
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