WATCH: Arshad Nadeem's Javelin throw wins hearts in Pakistan

Arshad Nadeem, the athlete who kept Pakistan’s hopes alive at the Tokyo Olympics, has become an overnight hero for the sports-starved nation with his name and sport both trending on top on Twitter.

Arshad Nadeem made history on Wednesday as he became first-ever Pakistani athlete to qualify for the final of any track and field event in the Olympics.

The Khanewal-born Nadeem made it to the final of men’s javelin throw with a throw of 85.16m, well beyond the qualification mark of 83.50m. His first attempt was 78.50m. This was overall third-best throw in the contest after India’s Neeraj Chopra (86.65m) and Germany’s Johannes Vetter (85.64m).

Though Arshad is not a new name for those who follow the sport in Pakistan but for the general public, he has emerged as an unlikely hero, who is now their final hope at the Olympics.

#ArshadNadeem and his family with CM @UsmanAkBuzdar & Minister Sports Punjab @RaiTaimoorPTI after winning #Gold Medal in South Asian Games 2019

InshaAllah he will win #Olympics Medal for 🇵🇰 in #JavelinThrow pic.twitter.com/OqLMomKTja

— Azhar Mashwani (@MashwaniAzhar) August 4, 2021

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem created history as the Javelin Thrower hurled a massive 85.16m throw and makes it to the Men's Javelin Throw finals of the Tokyo Olympics.

Congratulations, Arshad Nadeem you have made us all proud👏#ArshadNadeem pic.twitter.com/jo2SOQC50n

— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) August 4, 2021

What a great moment. #ArshadNadeem of #Pak qualified for the final of #JavelinThrow – keeping hopes of a medal alive – Will be an interesting competition between #NeerajChopra of #Ind and Arshad Nadeem on August 7. All the best. pic.twitter.com/KGa09g6Crg

— Shiraz Hassan (@ShirazHassan) August 4, 2021

I have a gut feeling inshallah the long awaited medal is coming

Dear Arshad Nadeem we all r praying for U Ya Allah Madad
#ArshadNadeem pic.twitter.com/1IpJWL6mlC

— Dr Nabil Chaudhry | ڈاکٹر نبیل چوہدری (@NabTheDentist) August 4, 2021

شاباش ارشد ندیم
شکریہ @DrFMirza
وفاقی وزیر نے ارشد ندیم کو بھرپور سپورٹ کیا مالی مدد سمیت ٹریننگ کیلئے 🇮🇷 بھجوایاجس کا نتیجہ اولمپک کی تاریخ میں پہلی بار کسی پاکستانی کا انفرادی کھیل کے فائنل میں پہنچنے کی صورت میں نکلا۔ پاکستان ایتھلیٹکس فیڈریشن کے جنرل ساہی بھی اہم ترین رہے۔ pic.twitter.com/PM6amnZVUK

— Shoaib Jatt (@Shoaib_Jatt) August 4, 2021

Arshad Nadeem had sealed his spot in the athletics competition at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics with a record breaking performance at the South Asian Games in Kathmandu, Nepal.

Nadeem won the men’s gold on day 7 with a new event record distance of 86.29 metres.

With the Olympic qualification standard set at 85 metres, it was enough to also confirm his place at the Games in 2020.

The 22-year-old competed at the Doha 2019 IAAF World Championships and is the first Pakistani track and field athlete to achieve direct qualification for an Olympics since before he was born.

https://twitter.com/SportsBoardPak/status/1203211980842160129?s=20