By Alam Zeb Safi
LAHORE: Pakistan’s leading javelin thrower and former Asian bronze medallist Yasir Sultan is brimming with confidence as he prepares to represent the country at the ongoing Islamic Solidarity Games in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
The men’s javelin throw final is scheduled for November 19 at the Prince Faisal Bin Fahad Stadium where some of the best athletes from the Muslim world will compete for top honours.
Yasir, along with Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, is set to fly to Riyadh on Friday morning at 9:25 am.
“Yes, I am in top shape,” Yasir told thecricketplus.com in a brief chat.
“I have worked extremely hard over the past few months and I’m hopeful of producing my best performance at the Games.”
Yasir, known for his solid technique and composure, is considered one of Pakistan’s most promising javelin prospects. A throw in the 80-metre-plus range could secure him a place on the victory podium a mark well within his capability.
His personal best stands at 79.93 metres, recorded at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok where he impressed with consistency and competitive temperament.
His coach Fayyaz Hussain Bukhari expressed optimism about Yasir’s readiness for the challenge.
“Yasir has trained exceptionally hard and is in excellent form,” Bukhari told this correspondent.
“If he maintains his rhythm, I am confident he will deliver a solid throw in Riyadh.”
This will be Yasir’s second appearance at the Islamic Games. He made his debut in the 2017 Baku edition where he finished ninth with a best throw of 60.49 metres. In that event Arshad Nadeem clinched the bronze medal with a throw of 76.33 metres.
Yasir is scheduled for a final gym session later today before completing his preparations for departure. He will be joined by Arshad Nadeem and his coach Salman Butt on the flight to Riyadh.
Arshad, who stunned the athletics world with his record-breaking throw of 92.97 metres at the Paris Olympics last year, enters the Islamic Games as the overwhelming favourite for gold.
However, it will also serve as a test of his fitness and form as Arshad has been on the road to recovery following surgery. He struggled at the World Championships in Tokyo the other month.
Arshad has a proud history at the Islamic Games, having won gold in 2022 in Turkey with a record throw of 88.55 metres, after earning bronze in 2017.
As both Yasir and Arshad prepare to carry Pakistan’s hopes in Riyadh, fans back home eagerly await another chapter of glory in the nation’s growing javelin legacy.
