Arshad Nadeem faces Budapest test

The competition is being held for the first time, adding another major international stage for Arshad as he looks to rebuild momentum ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Arshad's latest outing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow ended in disappointment.

He finished ninth in the 12-man final after three throws in the opening phase and was thus dethroned as he had won crown at Birmingham in 2022 with a Games record throw of 90.18 metres. His return to Budapest, however, carries a degree of familiarity and significance.

Hungary was the scene of Arshad’s breakthrough on the global stage when he won silver at the 2023 World Championships. A year later, he produced the defining performance of his career at the Paris Olympics, winning gold with a throw of 92.97 metres which is also Olympics record.

His manager said the athlete's preparation is focused on long-term development. "As for the training, it takes time to achieve better results. Our main focus is the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, so we're working with a long-term plan," Tahir said.

Arshad trained under South African coach Terseus Liebenberg, who also played an important role in preparing him for his Olympic triumph in Paris. The coach has urged the athlete to reset after reaching the pinnacle of his career.

"After such an incredible feat it is just natural that he had to once again reset, refocus, set new goals and regain his hunger for success at the highest level," Liebenberg had days ago. He described Arshad as an athlete with an exceptionally strong mindset and expressed confidence that he could rediscover his best form.

The Budapest field presents a formidable challenge. Pathirage, Sri Lanka's leading javelin thrower, enters the competition with considerable momentum after winning gold at the Commonwealth Games and recently claiming a Diamond League title. His consistency in recent months has made him one of the leading contenders.

Peters, a two-time former world champion, brings extensive experience, while Weber, Thompson, Walcott, Yego and Wegner add further depth to the field. India's Neeraj Chopra, one of Arshad's biggest rivals in recent years, will not compete in Budapest after an injury ruled him out.

Chopra is also set to miss this month's Asian Games in Japan. For Arshad, the Budapest contest represents an opportunity to measure himself against some of the world's leading throwers. After the championship, he will return to Pakistan on September 15 before travelling to Japan for the Asian Games, where he will attempt to add to his medal tally.

Arshad won bronze at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta but missed the 2022 edition, which was held in Hangzhou in 2023 due to injury. His immediate priority, however, is Budapest, where the Olympic champion will be looking to put his recent struggles behind him and demonstrate that his best throwing remains ahead of him.