KEY POINTS
- Arshad Nadeem withdrew from the Switzerland event due to a calf strain
- With Anderson Peters also in the mix, the Silesia event promises a high-stakes, triple-threat clash ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo
ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Olympian Arshad Nadeem is set to face India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra in a highly anticipated javelin clash at the Silesia Diamond League in Poland on August 16.
It will be their first head-to-head showdown since the Paris Olympics, where Nadeem made history with a jaw-dropping throw of 92.97 metres to clinch gold, while Chopra bagged silver with 89.45m.
Adding to the heat of this rivalry, Grenada’s Anderson Peters — bronze medallist in Paris with 88.54m — is also expected to be in the mix, turning the event into a blockbuster triple threat in world javelin.
Though fans were hoping to see Nadeem in action sooner, the Pakistani star has withdrawn from the World Athletics Silver Tour event in Switzerland on July 15.
Speaking to the media in Lahore, Nadeem revealed a calf strain picked up during training was the reason behind the cautious decision.
“I’ve decided to withdraw due to a strain in my calf that I experienced during training,” said Nadeem. “I don’t want it to worsen, so this is a step to protect my long-term fitness.”
His eyes are firmly set on the bigger picture — the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
Nadeem will travel to London on July 14 to resume training under improved facilities and medical support, hoping to refine his technique and recover in time for both the Silesia on August 16 and Zurich Diamond League events, with Zurich scheduled for August 27.
“My entire focus is on the World Championship,” Nadeem stated. “Training in England will give me the right conditions to prepare physically and mentally for the upcoming challenges.”
