(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Arshad Nadeem vs Neeraj Chopra: Historic Javelin Showdown Set for World Athletics Championships 2025
After months of anticipation, two of the world’s top javelin throwers — Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and India’s Neeraj Chopra — are finally set to face off at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo later this month.
Long-Awaited Rivalry
The clash was originally expected at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland earlier this year, but Nadeem withdrew in July after undergoing right calf surgery in England. His recovery delayed what many call the biggest rivalry in athletics today.
Now, with rehabilitation complete, Nadeem’s doctor Asad Abbas has confirmed the star is back in peak condition.
“Arshad has fully recovered, and I have monitored his progress. He is ready to compete with Neeraj and the rest of the world’s best,” Abbas said.
Event Details
The World Championships will run from September 13 to 21 at Japan National Stadium in Tokyo — the same venue where Neeraj Chopra won Olympic gold in 2020.
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Men’s Javelin Qualification: September 17
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Men’s Javelin Final: September 18
This will be the first meeting between Nadeem and Chopra since the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Nadeem stunned the world with a record-breaking 92.97m throw, earning Pakistan its first-ever Olympic athletics gold, while Chopra claimed silver.
Current Form
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Arshad Nadeem: Competed once since Paris, winning gold at the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea with a throw of 86.40m.
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Neeraj Chopra: Active on the global circuit and aiming to defend his World Championship title in Tokyo.
Star-Studded Field
The javelin final promises high drama, with contenders including:
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Julian Weber (Germany, in top form)
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Anderson Peters (Grenada, two-time world champion)
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Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad & Tobago, former Olympic champion)
What’s at Stake
For Nadeem, the goal is clear: upgrade his Budapest 2023 silver to gold and reclaim the spotlight from his Indian rival. For Chopra, it’s about cementing his dominance on the world stage.
With national pride and global titles on the line, fans across Pakistan, India, and beyond are preparing for a historic showdown in Tokyo.
