The men’s javelin final at the World Athletics 2025 brought shocking twists and a night of high drama as Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem and India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra both failed to finish on the podium. What promised a Chopra-Nadeem showdown ended in heartbreak, as a new name quietly stole the spotlight.
Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who stunned the world with his monumental 92.97m throw at the Paris Olympics 2024, could only reach 82.75m this time. His performance was riddled with inconsistency, starting with an opening throw of 82.75m, followed by fouls and a modest 82.73m. Finishing 10th, the reigning Olympic champion crashed out earlier than expected, leaving Pakistan disappointed at the World Athletics 2025 stage.
For India, defending world champion and Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra also endured a rare off day. Known for his composure and ability to rise to big occasions, Chopra’s best throw of 84.03m placed him in eighth. For the first time since Tokyo 2021, he missed a global medal, showing how tough and unpredictable elite competition is.
Amid the twin setbacks, India found a silver lining in Sachin Yadav. The 24-year-old delivered a career-best throw of 86.27m, securing fourth place and narrowly missing the podium. His rise has been one of the biggest positives for Indian athletics this year, proving that India’s javelin future does not rest on Chopra’s shoulders alone. Yadav’s fearless performance at the World Athletics 2025 earned him recognition as a serious contender for the years to come.
The final highlighted the shifting dynamics of global javelin. Once dominated by the intense rivalry between Chopra and Nadeem, the field now looks more open and competitive than ever. With Yadav rising and veterans Peters and Walcott strong, the road to the next Olympics looks even fiercer.
For fans, the World Athletics 2025 final was bittersweet. While Chopra and Nadeem faltered, the event proved sports celebrate not only medals but resilience, unpredictability, and the rise of heroes. With Yadav stepping into the limelight, the javelin throw’s future looks as thrilling as ever.