Arshad Nadeem, Pakistan’s pioneering javelin thrower and the nation’s first-ever individual Olympic gold medalist, has been honoured as part of the prestigious Forbes 30 Under 30 list for South Asia 2025.
The annual list celebrates the most impactful young leaders and talents from across the region, and Arshad Nadeem’s inclusion in the Entertainment & Sports category is both a milestone for him personally and a landmark moment for Pakistani athletics.
Now 28, Arshad has become a household name in Pakistan and across the globe after putting the country on the sporting map. From a small town in Mian Channu to the global stage, his rise has been nothing short of extraordinary.
This latest recognition from Forbes acknowledges Nadeem’s role in transforming Pakistan’s presence in global track and field. His inclusion not only honors his athletic achievements but also reflects his cultural significance in a region where sport often intersects with identity and national pride.
Here’s the full list of individuals and groups honoured alongside Arshad Nadeem in the Entertainment & Sports category:
| Name | Age | Profession | Country |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arshad Nadeem | 28 | Athlete | Pakistan |
| Sheetal Devi | 17 | Paralympian | India |
| Gukesh Dommaraju | 18 | Chess Grandmaster | India |
| Go Min-si | 29 | Actress | South Korea |
| Yerin Ha | 26 | Actress | South Korea |
| Stray Kids | K-pop Band | South Korea | |
| Mary Fowler | 21 | Football Player | Australia |
| Imase | 24 | Singer | Japan |
| Anuv Jain | 29 | Singer-Songwriter | India |
| Rizki Juniansyah | 21 | Athlete | Indonesia |
| Ishaan Khatter | 29 | Actor | India |
| Zakia Khudadadi | 26 | Athlete | Afghanistan |
| Tom Kim | 22 | Golfer | South Korea |
| Veddriq Leonardo | 27 | Athlete | Indonesia |
| Li Wenwen | 24 | Athlete | China |
| Ananya Panday | 26 | Actress | India |
| Koki Kano | 27 | Fencer | Japan |
| Lim Si-hyeon | 21 | Athlete | South Korea |
| Tkay Maidza | 29 | Rapper | Australia |
| Kaylee McKeown | 23 | Swimmer | Australia |
| Shinnosuke Oka | 21 | Gymnast | Japan |
| Daniel Quizon | 20 | Chess Grandmaster | Philippines |
| Arisa Trew | 14 | Skateboarder | Australia |
| Zou Jingyuan | 26 | Athlete | China |
| Shazza | 23 | Singer-Songwriter | Malaysia |
| Krit Amnuaydechkorn | 25 | Artist | Thailand |
| Sulagna Chatterjee | 29 | Filmmaker | India |
| BINI | Girl Group | Philippines | |
| Big Ocean | K-pop Band | South Korea | |
| Cha Eun-woo | 27 | Artist | South Korea |
For Arshad Nadeem, this honour marks another high point in a career that continues to break barriers for Pakistani sport. With the further World Championship events on the horizon, Nadeem now carries both the javelin—and the hopes of millions—as he continues to redefine what’s possible for South Asian athletes on the global stage.