TOKYO, Japan: Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem and India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra both failed to reach the podium at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, ending South Asia’s medal hopes in the high-profile event.
Arshad, competing in the men’s javelin final at the Japan National Stadium, opened with a throw of 82.73 metres. His second attempt was ruled a foul, and despite improving marginally to 82.75m on his third throw, he fouled again on his fourth attempt.
The distance was not enough to secure a place in the top eight, denying him three additional attempts and ending his medal hopes.
Chopra, the defending champion, started brightly with an 83.65m throw, which he followed with 84.03m on his second attempt. However, his rhythm faltered thereafter, with an invalid third throw, a modest 82.86m fourth effort, and another foul on his fifth.
He ultimately finished eighth, well short of the form that earned him Olympic glory in Tokyo four years ago.
The men’s javelin title went to Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, who produced a best throw of 88.16m to claim his first world championship gold and his first global title since winning Olympic gold as a teenager in 2012.
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Grenada’s Anderson Peters secured silver with 87.38m, while Curtis Thompson of the United States took bronze with 86.67m — the first American to medal in the event since 2007.
India’s Sachin Yadav delivered a career-best performance, throwing 86.27m to finish just outside the medals in fourth place, ahead of Germany’s Julian Weber, who managed 86.11m. Kenya’s 2015 world champion Julius Yego saw his campaign cut short after twisting his ankle on his third attempt.
For Pakistan, Arshad’s exit was particularly disappointing after raising expectations in the qualifiers with a strong 85.28m throw that had secured his direct place in the final. However, he was unable to reproduce that form on the decisive night.
The results mark a setback for both Arshad and Chopra, long-time rivals whose contests have gripped fans across South Asia.
