World Athletics Championship 2025 Final: The stage is set. The arch-rivals are ready. And the world will be watching.
Reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem and defending world champion Neeraj Chopra are all set to renew their fierce rivalry in what promises to be a blockbuster men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, scheduled for Thursday.
The India vs Pakistan narrative returns – not on a cricket field, but in the heart of a packed athletics stadium, where two of the world’s finest javelin throwers will lock horns for gold.
Neeraj vs Arshad: The Rivalry Reignites
While Neeraj Chopra made headlines as the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist and continued his dominance as the 2023 World Champion, Arshad Nadeem flipped the script at Paris 2024, clinching gold and etching his name in the history books as Pakistan’s first Olympic champion in athletics.
Now, both athletes are headed toward a highly anticipated clash in Tokyo – a place already rich in Olympic legacy for Neeraj. But Arshad arrives this time as the reigning Olympic champion, hungry to claim the world title.
Qualification Drama: Arshad Finds His Rhythm Late
Arshad Nadeem’s journey to the final was anything but smooth. Competing in Group B, the Pakistani star opened with a modest throw of 76.99m, far from the automatic qualifying mark of 84.50m.
But champions rise under pressure.
On his final attempt, Arshad delivered a clutch throw of 85.28m, sealing his spot in the 12-man final and setting up a mouth-watering India vs Pakistan encounter.
Neeraj Chopra Cruises Through Qualification
Neeraj, ever the calm technician, made light work of the qualification. He needed just one throw – an impressive 84.85m in his first attempt to secure a place in the final. The Indian star finished third in Group A, behind Germany’s Julian Weber (87.21m) and Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who lit up the field in Group B with a monster throw of 89.53m.
Sachin Yadav Joins Neeraj in Final, India Doubles the Threat
India’s rising javelin thrower Sachin Yadav may not have crossed the automatic qualifying mark, but his steady progression through the rounds (83.67m best) earned him a spot in the final. He finished 10th overall across both groups, giving India two representatives in the final showdown.
Although India’s Yash Vir and Rohit Yadav failed to qualify, Sachin’s entry brings depth to India’s medal hopes.
Final Line-up: Twelve of the world’s best will battle it out for gold in Tokyo:
| Athlete | Country | Best Throw (m) |
|---|---|---|
| Anderson Peters | GRN | 89.53 |
| Julian Weber | GER | 87.21 |
| Julius Yego | KEN | 85.96 |
| Dawid Wegner | POL | 85.67 |
| Arshad Nadeem | PAK | 85.28 |
| Neeraj Chopra | IND | 84.85 |
| Curtis Thompson | USA | 84.72 |
| Jakub Vadlejch | CZE | 84.11 |
| Keshorn Walcott | TTO | 83.93 |
| Sachin Yadav | IND | 83.67 |
| Cameron McEntyre | AUS | 83.03 |
| Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage | SRI | 82.80 |
Men’s Javelin Throw Final – When and Where to Watch
- Date: Thursday, September 19, 2025
- Venue: National Stadium, Tokyo
- Time: 6:30 PM local time / 3:00 PM IST / 2:30 PM PKT
- Live Telecast: Star Sports Network / Jio Hotstar
