Javelin throw has seen some remarkable feats over the years, with athletes pushing the limits of distance. Arshad Nadeem's recent Olympic record at the Paris 2024 Olympics has added to the rich history of this event. Here’s a look at the top 10 longest throws in javelin history, along with where Nadeem's incredible performance stands.
The world record holder, Jan Zelezny, remains unmatched with his legendary 98.48m throw set in 1996, making him the greatest javelin thrower of all time.
Germany’s Johannes Vetter holds the second-best throw in history at 97.76m, achieved in 2020, solidifying his position as one of the sport's modern legends.
Olympic champion Thomas Röhler secured his place among the greats with a stunning 93.90m throw in 2017, highlighting his consistency at the top level.
Finland's Aki Parviainen threw a remarkable 93.09m in 1999, demonstrating the nation’s strong javelin tradition and his place in the sport's history.
Grenadian athlete Anderson Peters delivered a 93.03m throw in 2022, showcasing his exceptional talent and placing him among the world's elite throwers.
Kenya’s Julius Yego, also known as the “YouTube Man,” reached a distance of 92.72m in 2015, making him Africa's top javelin thrower.
Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan made history at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a 92.97m throw, setting a new Olympic record and ranking sixth on the all-time list.
Russian athlete Sergey Makarov threw 92.61m in 2002, marking a career peak that secured his place among the greatest in javelin history.
Raymond Hecht of Germany achieved a 92.60m throw in 1995, reflecting the dominance of German athletes in the javelin discipline during that era.
Greek athlete Konstantinos Gatsioudis rounds out the top 10 with a 91.69m throw, set in 2000, showing his significant impact on the sport.