Arshad Nadeem Blames Glasgow's Cold Weather For Flop Show In Commonwealth Games 2026

Published 6 August 2026 · india

News sports other-sports Arshad Nadeem Blames Glasgow's Cold Weather For Flop Show In Commonwealth Games 2026 Arshad Nadeem Blames Glasgow's Cold Weather For Flop Show

News sports other-sports Arshad Nadeem Blames Glasgow's Cold Weather For Flop Show In Commonwealth Games 2026 Arshad Nadeem Blames Glasgow's Cold Weather For Flop Show In Commonwealth Games 2026 Published By, Last Updated: August 06, 2026, 22:42 IST At the Commonwealth Games 2026, Nadeem finished ninth in the men's javelin final with a best throw of 77.41 metres. Arshad Nadeem blames Glasgow weather for poor show in CWG 2026. (Picture Credit: AFP) Arshad Nadeem was one of the favourites to win the gold medal in the men’s javelin throw at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, but he produced one of the poorest performances of his career in Glasgow on July 31 to finish outside the top eight. The disappointing outing by Nadeem, who created history by winning a historic gold medal for Pakistan at the Paris Olympics 2024 with an Olympic record throw of 92.97 metres, drew heavy criticism from fans back home.

A week later, the Pakistan star has opened up about his performance and stated that the extremely cold weather in Glasgow was the main reason behind his poor showing. According to Nadeem, the cold conditions left his body stiff and caused muscle cramps, preventing him from generating the rhythm, momentum and run-up needed to produce his best throws. At the Commonwealth Games 2026, Nadeem finished ninth in the men’s javelin final with a best throw of 77.41 metres, failing to defend the gold medal he had won at Birmingham 2022 with a then Games record throw of 90.18 metres. “I don’t want to offer excuses for what happened, but those making hurtful and disrespectful comments about me should realise that I am a son of the soil and have brought medals for this country in the past," he said. Nadeem failed to qualify for the final eight after the preliminary rounds.

Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage won the gold medal with a throw of 89.75 metres, while India’s Neeraj Chopra and Yash Vir Singh claimed the silver and bronze medals, respectively, marking the first time two Indian athletes finished on the Commonwealth Games javelin podium. Nadeem pointed out that several athletes in the final also struggled because of the unusually cold conditions, which resulted in numerous foul throws. “It becomes very difficult for a javelin thrower to keep his body muscles and rhythm consistent and fluid during the throws because of the cold," he added. Nadeem said he needed the continued support of his countrymen and expressed confidence that he would soon return to winning ways. The Olympic champion is next scheduled to compete at the Athletissima (Lausanne Diamond League) on August 21, where he will face many of the world’s leading javelin throwers, including Neeraj Chopra and Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.