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| Photo by Nahi Khabar 24/7 – via Personal Collection |
Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra of India and Pakistan’s star thrower Arshad Nadeem have both qualified for the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, setting up a highly anticipated showdown between two of South Asia’s biggest sporting icons.
At the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, India's Neeraj Chopra qualified for the men's javelin throw final with an 84.85-meter throw on his first attempt, while Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem advanced on his third try with 85.28 meters after earlier attempts of 76.99 and 74.17 meters. India's Sachin Yadav also qualified with 83.67 meters, joining a field topped by Grenada's Anderson Peters at 89.53 meters, as the event underscores the rivalry between Chopra and Nadeem from their Olympic encounters. In the women's 200-meter heats, Jamaica's Shericka Jackson advanced to the semifinals with a 22.33-second win. The javelin final is set for Thursday.
Chopra, the defending Olympic champion, secured his spot with a powerful first attempt that sailed beyond the automatic qualification mark. Meanwhile, Nadeem, who recently returned to top form after recovering from injury, impressed with consistent throws that placed him comfortably among the top qualifiers.
The duo has been at the center of a growing sporting rivalry since the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where Chopra won gold and Nadeem finished fifth. Their performances have since elevated javelin throw’s popularity across India and Pakistan, drawing unprecedented regional attention to athletics.
Fans from both nations are eagerly awaiting the final, which promises to be a historic contest. Social media has already erupted with excitement, with supporters calling it a “battle of champions” and celebrating the rare moment of shared sporting glory between the two rivals.
The javelin final will be held later this week, with both athletes aiming for podium finishes and national pride on the global stage.
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