Tokyo: Pakistan and India will face again today in the same week, but this time the attention turns on a shorter, simpler sporting spectacle.
At the World Athletics Championships in Japan, men’s javelin stars Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra are set to face off for the first time since their clash at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem are set to renew their rivalry at the World Athletics Championships in Japan, marking their first showdown since the 2024 Paris Olympics in the men’s javelin throw.
Currently ranked World No. 2, Neeraj Chopra is aiming for his third medal at the World Championships. He previously clinched a silver medal in the USA three years ago, where Pakistan’s Nadeem took gold, finishing ahead of his Indian rival.
In today’s competition, Germany’s Weber along with other well-known javelin throwers will also be in action.
The selection of the top 8 javelin throwers for the final through the qualifying round is scheduled for Thursday.
Arshad Nadeem said, “Please pray for me so that I can perform well and reach the final.”
According to the Pakistan Athletics Federation, Arshad Nadeem has shown excellent performance in training sessions, and his coaches consider him ready to deliver top results at the international level.
Arshad Nadeem: Proud of Pakistan:
Hailing from Mian Channu, this extraordinary athlete has rewritten Pakistan’s history books with every stride. He became the first Pakistani to reach an Olympic track and field final at Tokyo 2021, followed by a groundbreaking gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham 2022.
He went on to claim Pakistan’s first-ever medal at the World Athletics Championships, earning silver in Budapest 2023. His legacy soared even higher as he became the first Pakistani to win an individual Olympic gold medal — and the first to set an Olympic record in track and field. His journey is not just one of personal triumph, but a defining chapter in Pakistan’s sporting history.