There will be no apprehension or denial if we say that 2022 belongs to Pakistani warriors from the Commonwealth Games. The generations in Pakistan will remember this year due to the honorable and appreciative performances by our heroes in the Commonwealth multi-sport event in 2022. There were 67 Pakistani athletes, 42 men and 25 women who participated in 12 different sports games which led Pakistan to the 18th Position in the Commonwealth ranking of 72 teams by successfully winning 8 Medals for the country.
Commonwealth Games 2022 started on 28 of July to 08 August in Birmingham, England. There were 72 international teams who participated along with their flags. Moreover, around 5,052 participants took part in 20 sports games. Australia was announced as the winning country after securing 178 medals. On the other hand, Arshad Nadeem (javelin thrower) and Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt (Weightlifter) earned their first gold medals for Pakistan. But before we talk about winners let’s learn about Commonwealth games in brief.
What are Commonwealth Games?
Commonwealth games are one of the renowned multi-sport events around the world that first started in 1930 and happens after every 4 years. Initially, these games were known as British Empire Games from 1930 to 1950 and were changed multiple times. But with the popularity and participation of around 55 active states and 72 nations, it is notably known as the Commonwealth Games. Along with this global event, there are also other well-known international competitions that happen around the globe such as:
- Olympics games
- Asian Games
- Pan American Games
Performance of Pakistani Champs in Commonwealth Games 2022
This year’s performances of Pakistani athletes and weightlifters were overwhelming and surprising because after almost a wait of 60 years, Pakistani youngster Arshad Nadeem earned his first gold medal in the Commonwealth athletics category. Along with 2 gold medals, the Pakistani sports warriors brought 3 silver and 3 bronze medals home with pride and dignity. After their spirited performances, the native and well-known people, including politicians, celebrities and sportsmen like Babar Azam congratulated their heroes. In addition, here is a brief introduction to Pakistani sportsmen who made their names in the Commonwealth Games 2022.
Gold Medalists
1. Arshad Nadeem (Javelin Throw)
The 25 years old from Khanewal, Punjab not only pursued his dream of winning the gold medal in Javelin Throw but also made a world record in throwing Javelin at 90.18 m in his fifth throw. After coming in fifth place multiple times in the Japan Olympic Games 2020 and World Athletics Championships 2022. Finally, he ends up winning the gold medal on a higher note.
The training career of Arshad Nadeem in Javelin Throw started in 2016 when he got a scholarship from World Athletics to train in the world-famous IAAF High-Performance Training Center in Mauritius. In Commonwealth Games 2018 he earned his personal best of throwing Javelin at 81.52m and one year later in November 2019 he made a national record of scoring 83.65m. 2022 is the year of Arshad Nadeem. He defeated current world champion, Anderson Peters, in Javelin Throw and ex-champion Julius Yego, who acquired the silver and bronze medals respectively.
Medal Record
| Gold | Bronze | Total |
| 02 | 04 | 06 |
2. Muhammad Nooh Dastgir Butt (Weightlifter)
Born in a family of weightlifters from Gujranwala, Punjab Muhammad Noor Dastgir Butt’s focus was to reach the heights of weightlifting. That’s the reason he overcome all odds and made his country proud by winning the men’s 109+ weightlifting event in Commonwealth Games 2022.
Dastagir Butt started participating in major tournaments starting from the junior championships in Commonwealth in Penang 2016. Till now, he has earned one gold, two silver and 3 bronze medals.
Medal Record
| Gold | Bronze | Bronze | Total |
| 01 | 02 | 03 | 06 |
Silver Medalists
3. Muhammad Inam (Wrestling)
Muhammad Inam from Gujranwala, Punjab grabbed the second position and silver medal in the wrestling under 86 kg competition. Moreover, he has been quite active in these globally celebrated sports events. Let’s have a look at the overall models won by Muhammad Inam in several international wrestling competitions.
Medal Record
| Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 08 | 03 | 02 | 13 |
4. Zaman Anwar (Wrestling)
Zaman Anwar also shined in the 125 kg freestyle wrestling competition and secured the first silver medal of his career. In the past, he won the gold medal in the South Asian Games 2016 in India and this 31-year-old wrestler is also from Gujranwala, Punjab.
Medal Record
| Gold | Silver |
| 01 | 01 |
5. Muhammad Sharif Tahir (Wrestling)
This young blood achieved 2nd position and silver medal in the finals against India’s Naveen Malik in the 74 kg category. This was his first big event as he is just 20 years old. Ultimately, earning a silver medal at this young age will boost his confidence. God bless you boy, keep shining.
Bronze Medalists
6. Shah Hussain Shah (Judo)
Born in London Shah Hussain Shah has represented Pakistan on different occasions and events such as in the South Asian Games, Asian Judo Championships and Commonwealth Games. In this event, he won his overall 3rd bronze medal in Judo in the 100 kg division. In addition, he has 2 gold and 1 silver medal under his name at different sports events.
Medal Record
| Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 02 | 01 | 03 | 06 |
7. Inayat Ullah (Wrestling)
Wrestler Inayat Ullah honorably won the bronze medal by defeating Ross Connelly from Scotland under 65 kg in wrestling. This proud hero of Pakistan has a long way to go. We wish him good luck in his future opportunities.
8. Ali Asad (Wrestling)
Ali Asad picked up the victory against New Zealand’s Suraj Singh in less than a minute and acquired the bronze medal for the country in the 57 kg wrestling event. He is highly motivated for upcoming international events and ready to seize more medals under his name.
Top 5 Countries with Most Medals in Commonwealth Games 2022
| Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| Australia | 67 | 57 | 54 | 178 |
| England | 57 | 66 | 53 | 176 |
| Canada | 26 | 32 | 34 | 92 |
| India | 22 | 16 | 23 | 61 |
| New Zealand | 20 | 12 | 17 | 49 |
Conclusion
On the return of Commonwealth 2022 medalists, the Director General of Pakistan Sports Board received and welcomed them. Pakistan’s women who also participated couldn’t grab any medals but the hopes are high.
It’s high time to support and motivate our athletes, weightlifters and wrestlers to do hard work and make our country proud. Maybe by these achievements, our higher authorities will be able to invest more in our national talent and encourage them. The 23rd Commonwealth Games event will be held in 2026 in Victoria, Australia from 17 to 29 March.
For now, you can share your best moments of the event and appreciation for medalists in the comment sections below.
