As the hockey rivalry between India and Pakistan began to fade more than a decade ago, and cricket no longer delivered the same frequency of contests, a new rivalry emerged in track and field, in the javelin throw. At the World Championships in Tokyo, defending champion Neeraj Chopra is all set to step onto the runway for the qualification round on September 17. Neeraj’s achievements date back to well before the 2020 Olympics, but that golden moment in Tokyo – watched by millions of Indians on their television screens – made him a household name. It was almost the same story with Arshad Nadeem and Pakistan.
After the handshake fiasco between India and Pakistan in cricket’s the Asia Cup in Dubai, focus now shifts to the Japan National Stadium, with India’s world champion taking on Pakistan’s Olympic gold medallist.
The foundations of this Indo-Pak javelin duel were laid at the 2016 South Asian Games in Guwahati, the first time Neeraj and Arshad faced each other. The spark truly caught fire after the Tokyo Olympics, when the Neeraj Chopra became first Indian to win an Olympic gold in athletics. Two years later, he was again on the top step of the podium at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. Arshad finished runner-up. But last year in Paris, their rivalry added another dramatic chapter as Arshad produced a monstrous 92.97m throw to edge out Neeraj and claim Olympic gold.
After more than a year, the javelin stars from India and Pakistan will meet again. It will be their first clash since the Paris final. For Neeraj, the Japan National Stadium is a very special place, the venue where he won that epochal Olympic gold. Back then, the stands were silent because of COVID-19. This time, in front of a packed house, it will once again be a battle between Neeraj’s technique and Arshad’s raw power. The two-time Olympic medallist from India has edged past Arshad almost every time he has faced him. Neeraj holds a head-to-head record of 9-1 against Arshad, but the significance of that one defeat was lost on no one.
Neeraj started his season by winning an invitational tournament in Potchefstroom, South Africa. He opened his Diamond League season in Doha, where he broke the elusive 90m barrier for the first time. Later, he won three meets in a row – the Ostrava Golden Spike, the Paris Diamond League, and the Neeraj Chopra Classic. He also finished runner-up at the Diamond League Finals in Zurich, Switzerland. Arshad’s career since Paris has been marked by injuries, and he has participated only once since then, at the Asian Championships in Gumi, South Korea. He won the gold.
Apart from Neeraj, three other Indian throwers will be in action in the qualifying round – Rohit Yadav, Sachin Yadav, and Yashvir Singh. This is the first time four Indians will participate in an event at the World Championships.
Neeraj’s biggest challenge will come from Germany’s Julian Weber. Weber beat him at the Diamond League Finals and is in phenomenal form, boasting a world-leading throw of 91.51m. He has also crossed the 90m mark multiple times. Brazil’s Luiz Maurício de Silva could also pose a threat, as he recently improved his personal best by six metres with a 91m throw last month.
Javelin at the World Championship 2025
17 September
Qualification 1 – 3:40 PM (Neeraj Chopra and Sachin Yadav)
Qualification 2 – 5:15 PM (Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh)
18 September
Final – 3:53 PM
For all sports updates, follow Revsportz