In a stunning turn at the World Athletics 2025 Javelin final, fans were left disappointed as two of South Asia’s biggest stars. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem and India’s Neeraj Chopra failed to secure podium finishes. The event, held at the National Stadium in gusty conditions, saw a powerful comeback from Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, who clinched gold with an incredible throw of 88.16 meters.
Arshad Nadeem Fails to Regain Momentum After Injury
Returning after a long injury break, Arshad Nadeem struggled to find his rhythm throughout the final. His best throw of 82.75 meters earned him the 10th position, far from his personal best and Olympic silver-winning form. This was a major blow for Pakistani fans, who had hoped for a comeback medal performance on the world stage.
Neeraj Chopra Also Misses Podium, Finishes 8th
India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra also had an off day. His top throw of 84.03 meters landed him in 8th place, a sharp contrast to the 90.23 meters he had thrown earlier in the season. Expectations were high for Chopra to defend his world title, but he never quite got into the zone in Thursday night’s competition.
While the South Asian stars stumbled, it was a night of triumph for others:
- 🥇 Gold: Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) – 88.16m
- 🥈 Silver: Anderson Peters (Grenada) – 87.38m
- 🥉 Bronze: Curtis Thompson (USA) – 86.67m
This victory marked Walcott’s first world championship gold and a return to form since his Olympic win in 2012. Anderson Peters, already a two-time world champion, added another medal to his growing legacy, while Thompson secured the USA’s first medal in men’s javelin since 2007.
Other Highlights from the Javelin Final at World Athletics 2025
- India’s Sachin Yadav delivered a surprise personal best of 86.27m, finishing 4th and emerging as a rising star.
- Germany’s Julian Weber, another major contender, ended in 6th place with a disappointing 86.11m.
- Kenya’s veteran Julius Yego was forced to withdraw after an ankle injury during his third attempt.
With both Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra missing out on medals, attention now turns to the 2026 Paris Olympics. Will they bounce back stronger after this setback at World Athletics 2025? Fans across the region will be hoping for a redemption arc in the seasons ahead.
