As the world turns its eyes toward Paris for the 2024 Olympics, seven remarkable athletes from Pakistan are preparing to make their mark on the global stage. Each one carries a unique story, from breaking barriers and setting national records to battling against all odds.
As they gear up to represent their country with pride, these athletes embody the spirit of perseverance and excellence. Join us as we spotlight these extraordinary competitors who are not only chasing their Olympic dreams but also inspiring a nation.
1. Arshad Nadeem
Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s flag-bearer for the upcoming Olympics, is the nation’s top contender after securing a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games two years ago. Last year, he finished as the runner-up at the World Athletics Championship. In Paris, he will once again face off against India’s Neeraj Chopra, continuing their cross-border rivalry.
“I will continue my training in Paris to bring further improvement before competing in the event, and if everything goes to plan, I will get a medal for the country at the Olympics. Yes, the target is high, but my ambitions are also high, and I am feeling in great shape to deliver and make the nation proud.”
2. Kishmala Talat
Kishmala Talat is on a mission to make history as the first woman from Pakistan to win an Olympic medal. At the Paris 2024 Olympics, starting on July 26, Talat will compete in the 10m air pistol and 25m pistol events, aiming for glory on the international stage while challenging stereotypes back home.
Pakistan’s medal hopes are often hindered by cultural norms that discourage women from participating in sports. However, 21-year-old Talat, who hails from a military family, is breaking barriers. She’s the first Pakistani woman to qualify for Olympic shooting and has already won numerous medals nationally and internationally. Among her achievements is Pakistan’s first-ever shooting medal, a bronze, at the Asian Games last year.
With a global ranking of 37th in the 10m event and 41st in the 25m, according to the International Shooting Sport Federation. With her sights set high and her aim steady, Kishmala Talat is poised to inspire a new generation of athletes and bring pride to her nation.
3. Gulfam Joseph
Gulfam has made history as the first Christian to qualify for the Olympics and is set to compete in both the Men’s 10m Air Pistol and the 10m Air Pistol Mixed events. As another quota qualifier, Joseph’s focus and composure will be crucial for his performance. He will take part in the Men’s 10m Air Pistol Qualification Round on July 27th and the Mixed Team Qualification Round on July 29th.
4. Faiqa Riaz
Pakistan’s determined female sprinter and national champion, Faiqa Riaz, will make her mark at the Paris Olympics this year, competing in the 100m sprint on a wild card entry. Alongside her sporting achievements, Faiqa has completed her Master’s in Accounting and Finance.
Before focusing solely on athletics, she was a hockey player, excelling as a right-in and right-out, and even attended a camp for Pakistan’s hockey team in 2016 for a tour in Thailand. Though she had a passion for hockey, she chose to dedicate herself to athletics.
Now a Grade-11 employee of WAPDA, Faiqa joined the organization as a national junior champion and recently clinched gold in the National Athletics Championship in Attock last December, cementing her status as the national sprint champion.
5. Jehanara Nabi
Jehanara Nabi, a standout Pakistani swimmer with multiple national records, is gearing up for the Olympics with a wild card entry. She previously competed in the women’s 200 metre freestyle event at the 2021 FINA World Swimming Championships in Abu Dhabi and took part in both the 200-metre and 400-metre freestyle events at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships in Budapest. At this year’s Olympics, she will showcase her talent in the women’s 200-metre freestyle.
6. Ghulam Mustafa Bashir
Ghulam Mustafa Bashir has made history as the first Pakistani to win a medal at the World Shooting Championships, securing a bronze in the 25m rapid fire pistol event in Cairo, Egypt. This achievement also earned him a quota place for the 2024 Paris Olympics. At 35 years old, Bashir is set to compete in his third Olympic Games, having previously qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics and the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. This year, he will once again represent Pakistan in the 25m rapid fire pistol event.
7. Ahmed Durrani
Ahmed Durrani, the youngest member of Pakistan’s seven-athlete contingent, will make his debut at the Paris Olympics with a unique vantage point—on a boat on the Seine during the opening ceremony. At just 18 years old, Durrani is set to compete in the 200 metres freestyle heats two days later, marking an exciting start to his Olympic journey.
Whether they achieve podium success or not, their participation alone is a testament to their hard work and the hope they bring to their homeland. As they step onto the global stage, we cheer for their success and wish them the best of luck in their pursuit of Olympic glory.
