As the curtains close on the Paris 2024 Olympics, the world is left with stories of extraordinary victories, historic moments, and inspiring athletes who have etched their names into the annals of sporting history.
ARSHAD NADEEM’S HEROIC RETURN TO PAKISTAN
Pakistan celebrated a historic moment as Arshad Nadeem returned home with the nation’s first Olympic gold medal in javelin.
Nadeem, who hails from a humble background in rural Punjab, achieved an Olympic record with a 92.97-metre throw, surpassing defending champion Neeraj Chopra of India.
The 27-year-old was met with a hero’s welcome in Lahore, where thousands gathered to honour his achievement. President Asif Ali Zardari announced that Nadeem would receive Pakistan’s second-highest civilian award, the Hilal-i-Imtiaz, for his extraordinary accomplishment.
JAPAN’S WRESTLING GLORY
Japan also had its moments of triumph in Paris, with Yuka Kagami winning gold in the women’s 76-kilogramme wrestling event.
Kagami’s victory marks the first time a Japanese woman has claimed gold in the heaviest women’s weight class. On the men’s side, Kotaro Kiyooka secured gold in the 65-kilogramme freestyle wrestling event, marking his debut Olympics with a resounding victory.
SOUTH KOREA’S HISTORIC SUCCESS
South Korea enjoyed a record-breaking Olympics, securing 13 gold medals, the country’s best performance in a Summer Games since 2012.
The nation’s athletes dominated in shooting, fencing, and archery, with 10 of their gold medals coming from these “weapon sports”.
Notable achievements included 16-year-old Ban Hyo-jin winning South Korea’s 100th gold medal in Summer Olympics history and the archery team sweeping all five gold medals.
South Korea’s taekwondo and badminton teams also made a strong comeback, securing golds and restoring national pride.
CHINA’S FIRST OLYMPIC TENNIS SINGLES GOLD
China celebrated a groundbreaking achievement in tennis as Zheng Qinwen won the country’s first Olympic tennis singles gold.
Inspired by tennis legends like Li Na and Liu Xiang, Zheng’s victory in the women’s final against Croatia’s Donna Vekic solidified her status as a rising star.
Her triumph, built on powerful serves and mental fortitude, resonated with fans and promises to inspire future generations of Chinese tennis players.
A NEAR-MISS FOR MALAYSIA IN CYCLING
In cycling, Malaysia’s Mohd Shah Firdaus Sahrom came agonisingly close to a podium finish in the men’s keirin final.
Competing at the Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines Velodrome, Shah Firdaus was in third position heading into the final bend when a crash involving Japan’s Shinji Nakano dashed his medal hopes.
Despite missing out on a podium finish, Shah Firdaus’s fourth-place finish is a commendable achievement, marking him as only the third Malaysian cyclist to reach an Olympic final.
As these Olympic Games draw to a close, the stories of determination, resilience, and triumph will continue to inspire, reminding the world of the unifying power of sport. – RIZAL FAISAL
