Pakistan’s javelin champion Arshad Nadeem was disqualified from Asian Games due to a knee injury on Tuesday, officials confirmed.
This unfortunate development has deprived Pakistan from bagging another medal at the tournament, as Nadeem was considered one of their brightest prospects.
An official of the Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) confirmed that Nadeem informed them and the Pakistan contingent about his inability to participate in the event due to a chronic knee injury just 24 hours before his scheduled appearance in the men’s javelin throw finals on Wednesday evening.
According to a statement attributed to Pakistan’s Chef de Mission and released by the POA, Nadeem reported experiencing knee pain after his first training session in Hangzhou.
“After arrival at Hangzhou at the first training session on 27th September 2023, Mr. Arshad Nadeem revealed and complained to Dr. Asad Abbas who was accompanying him that he has been grappling with persistent pain for several months, a concern that has become particularly pressing in the aftermath of the World Athletics Championship,” the statement highlighted.
“On 2nd October, he again complained of pain in the right knee and expressed a desire to undergo an evaluation to determine the impact on his ability to participate in the javelin throw event. The Chief Medical Officer of the Pakistan Contingent recommended a comprehensive check-up.
Nadeem underwent a thorough medical examination, including a non-invasive MRI test at a local hospital in Hangzhou, which revealed a chronic injury that he had been carrying.
Following consultations with medical personnel, Arshad Nadeem made the decision not to participate in the Asian Games to avoid any circumstances that might hinder his training program and his ultimate goal of competing in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
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