Neeraj Chopra Faces Arshad Nadeem in Javelin Throw Showdown in Tokyo

Tokyo, Japan – The 2025 World Athletics Championships feature a highly anticipated men’s javelin throw final, pitting India’s Neeraj Chopra against Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem. Their showdown occurs on September 18, 2025, at the Japan National Stadium, marking a significant rematch after Nadeem’s Olympic triumph last year in Paris.

Chopra, the reigning World Champion, enters the competition after a strong season, including a throw exceeding 90 meters. He expressed confidence following his automatic qualification, where he achieved a throw of 84.85 meters.

“I feel really good that I achieved automatic qualification in the first round. Tomorrow is the main day,” said Chopra. He also emphasized the importance of staying healthy and focused for the final.

Nadeem, who is the Olympic gold medalist, qualified with a throw of 85.28 meters, positioning himself as a formidable opponent for Chopra. Despite recent surgery, Nadeem is fit and ready for the title defense.

The competition features other strong contenders, including Julian Weber of Germany, who has beaten Chopra twice this season. Weber topped the preliminary rounds with an impressive 87.21 meters, followed by former world champion Anderson Peters from Grenada with a throw of 89.53 meters.

Chopra highlighted the intensity of the competition, stating, “I just need to stay healthy and focused for the final.”

The javelin final will determine not only the medals but also the ongoing rivalry between Chopra and Nadeem, both of whom have become symbols of friendly competition amid their countries’ historical tensions.

As the athletes prepare for their attempts, all eyes will be on the track to see who will emerge victorious in this clash of titans.