Tokyo, September 18, 2025 – The stage is set for another chapter in one of athletics’ most captivating rivalries as India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan’s record-breaking Arshad Nadeem advance to the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships here.
The duo, who thrilled the world with their Paris 2024 Olympic duel—where Nadeem claimed gold with an Olympic record—will compete for supremacy on Thursday evening at the National Stadium, promising high drama amid a field of global elites.
Neeraj Chopra
Chopra, the reigning world champion from Budapest 2023, secured his spot in the final with an effortless first-throw effort of 84.85 meters during Wednesday’s qualification round, finishing third overall.
Currently ranked No. 2 in the World Athletics rankings for men’s javelin throw, the 27-year-old from Haryana has been in scintillating form this season, highlighted by his personal best of 90.23 meters thrown at the Doha Diamond League in May—his first breach of the 90-meter barrier. That mark places him third on the 2025 seasonal bests list, underscoring his consistency and power.
Arshad Nadeem
Nadeem, the 28-year-old from Punjab province who stunned the athletics world with his 92.97-meter Olympic record in Paris last year—his lifetime best—edged into the final with a dramatic third-throw of 85.28 meters in Group B.
Though he has competed sparingly in 2025 due to recovery from minor injuries, his seasonal best of 86.40 meters at the Asian Championships in Gumi ranks him around eighth globally this year.
Nadeem, who sits outside the top 10 in current world rankings but remains a formidable threat with his explosive technique, expressed confidence post-qualification: “I’m here to defend my Olympic title’s spirit and throw far.”
Their head-to-head history adds fuel to the fire: Nadeem’s Paris triumph denied Chopra a second straight Olympic gold, but the Indian avenged it with a silver at the 2023 Worlds. This final marks the third major clash between the South Asian stars since Tokyo 2020, where Chopra won gold and Nadeem bronze.
Other Players
Joining them in the 12-man final are a mix of seasoned veterans and rising talents, all vying for the world title and a share of the $30,000 prize pot. The qualification standard was 84.50 meters or the top 12 performers, resulting in a stacked field.
Defending the honor of past champions, Germany’s Julian Weber tops the 2025 seasonal list with a world-leading 91.51 meters from the Zurich Diamond League final in August—his personal best—and holds the No. 1 world ranking. Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a two-time world champion, brings the field’s deepest arsenal with a lifetime best of 93.07 meters from 2022, though his 2025 form shows 89.53 meters.
Czechia’s Jakub Vadlejch, the 2021 Olympic silver medalist and consistent podium threat, qualified with around 84 meters and boasts a personal best of 90.88 meters. Poland’s Dawid Wegner, an emerging force, smashed his own PB with 85.67 meters in qualification and holds a lifetime best of 83.40 meters from July in Berlin. India’s second qualifier, 25-year-old Sachin Yadav, earned his debut major final spot with 83.67 meters, building on his personal best of 85.16 meters from the Asian Championships in May.
Other notable finalists include Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott (PB: 90.16m, 2012 Olympic gold), Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio da Silva (seasonal best: 91.00m), and the USA’s Curtis Thompson (PB: 87.76m). The full field promises intense competition, with several athletes chasing the championship record of 92.72 meters set by Kenya’s Julius Yego in 2015.
Rankings and Personal Best
| Finalist | Country | Current World Ranking (Javelin) | Personal Best Throw | 2025 Seasonal Best |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neeraj Chopra | India | #2 | 90.23m (2025) | 90.23m |
| Arshad Nadeem | Pakistan | Outside Top 10 | 92.97m (2024) | 86.40m |
| Julian Weber | Germany | #1 | 91.51m (2025) | 91.51m |
| Anderson Peters | Grenada | #4 (approx.) | 93.07m (2022) | 89.53m |
| Jakub Vadlejch | Czechia | #6 | 90.88m (2022) | 84.50m+ |
| Dawid Wegner | Poland | #21 | 83.40m (2025) | 85.67m |
| Sachin Yadav | India | #17 | 85.16m (2025) | 85.16m |
| Keshorn Walcott | Trinidad & Tobago | Top 10 | 90.16m (2012) | 84.95m |
| Luiz Mauricio da Silva | Brazil | Top 5 | 91.00m (2025 est.) | 91.00m |
As the sun sets over Tokyo, all eyes will be on Chopra and Nadeem—not just for national pride, but for who can summon the perfect throw under pressure. With the final slated for 6:23 AM IST (3:53 PM local time), fans across India and Pakistan are bracing for a historic evening. “It’s about focus and belief,” Chopra said. Nadeem echoed: “The javelin will decide.”
Myself Aditya and I am from Mumbai, India. As an intern, I joined the local news agency in Mumbai named “The Mumbai News”. Now I am working with various News Agencies and I provide them reports from Mumbai and other parts of India.
