Arshad Nadeem says he is ready to defend his Commonwealth Games javelin title as Pakistan’s Olympic champion prepares for the Glasgow 2026 Games later this month.

The 29-year-old javelin star will travel to Switzerland on Monday to compete in an international event before the Commonwealth Games, which will take place from July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow.

Speaking after his final training session at Punjab Stadium in Lahore, Arshad said the warm-up competition would help him assess his form before the major event.

“I am going to feature in an event in Switzerland before a major competition like the Commonwealth Games. I participate in an event before any big contest, which gives me an idea about my strength and preparation,” he said.

Arshad won the Commonwealth Games gold medal in Birmingham in 2022 with a record-breaking throw of 90.18 metres. He later achieved another milestone at the Paris 2024 Olympics by producing a 92.97-metre throw, which remains the Olympic and Asian record.

The Mian Channu-born athlete said he understands the expectations that come with defending his title.

“Four years after I broke the Commonwealth Games record in 2022, I remain in the same position. There is also pressure because I have been the champion for four years, and now I need to perform well again to retain the title,” he said.

Arshad also expects strong competition in Glasgow, especially after Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Tharanga registered an impressive throw of 86.57 metres at the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting.

“I strongly feel that the competition in Glasgow will be tough this time too, but I am prepared for it,” Arshad said. “There is always pressure while entering the field, and I have to control that pressure.”

Arshad became the first Pakistani athlete to secure direct qualification for the Olympic Games and remains one of the country’s most successful track and field athletes as he seeks another major international title.