The World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo have witnessed another magical moment for Indian sports fans. On Day 5, Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin superstar, booked his place in the men’s javelin final with just a single, sizzling throw of 84.85 metres. Sachin Yadav also made India proud, joining Neeraj in the final with a best throw of 83.67 metres.
Arshad Nadeem fights hard for qualification
Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem showed true grit in Tokyo. After two sub-par throws, he rescued his chances with a final, determined effort of 85.28 metres, earning his spot among the top 12 for the grand finale. This sets up a thrilling contest between Neeraj and Arshad, a rivalry that has captured the imagination of fans across the subcontinent.
Meet the star-studded finalists
The men’s javelin final features some of the biggest names in the sport. The direct qualifiers, all crossing the automatic mark of 84.50 metres, include:
- Anderson Peters (Grenada)
- Julian Weber (Germany)
- Julius Yego (Kenya)
- Dawid Wegner (Poland)
- Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan)
- Neeraj Chopra (India)
- Curtis Thompson (USA)
The lineup is completed by Jakub Vadlejch, Keshorn Walcott, Sachin Yadav, Cameron McEntyre, and Rumesh Pathirage, who qualified by ranking.
Indian spirits running high
With two Indians in the final, national pride is riding on their shoulders. Fans will be hoping for Neeraj to defend his world title, and possibly see Sachin Yadav spring a surprise. If Neeraj wins, he will only be the third athlete ever to defend the javelin title at the World Championships.
What’s next for the finalists
History beckons on September 18th at 3:30 pm IST, when the javelin throw final takes centre stage, promising fireworks and fierce competition. Neeraj, Arshad and other stars will aim for Asia’s sporting glory. The entire nation will be cheering, hoping for another golden chapter in India’s athletics journey.
