Neeraj Chopra Eyes Rare World Title Defense ; But Arshad Nadeem Stands in the Way All eyes will be on Tokyo’s National Stadium this Thursday as Neeraj Chopra steps onto the field with history within reach.
The defending world champion isn’t just aiming for another gold ; he’s chasing a place in the record books. If Chopra succeeds, he will become only the third male javelin thrower in history to win back-to-back World Athletics Championship titles.
A Chance to Join Legends
Only two men have ever defended their javelin world titles:
- Jan Zelezny (1993, 1995) – The legendary Czech thrower, who now coaches Neeraj
- Anderson Peters (2019, 2022) – The Grenadian powerhouse
Now, Neeraj Chopra is in line to join that elite club ; a milestone that would further cement his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Arshad Nadeem: The Challenger from Across the Border
Standing in Neeraj’s way is Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, a fierce competitor who’s proven time and again that he can rise to the occasion ; even under pressure. Though Arshad had a late surge in the qualifying round, he did enough to secure his spot in the final, and more importantly, remind everyone why he can’t be counted out. This isn’t just another medal bout. For fans across the subcontinent, it’s shaping up to be a high-voltage India vs Pakistan clash ; on a global athletics stage.
Paris 2024: A Glimpse of What Could Happen Again?
Let’s not forget the last time these two giants met in a major final ; the Paris Olympics 2024.
- Arshad Nadeem stunned the world with a monstrous throw over 91m, clinching Olympic gold
- Neeraj Chopra, despite a strong showing, had to settle for silver, as he couldn’t cross the 90m mark
Major Head-to-Head Highlights
| Year | Event | Neeraj Chopra | Arshad Nadeem |
| 2017 | Asian Championships, Bhubaneswar | Gold | 7th Place |
| 2018 | Commonwealth Games, Gold Coast | Gold | 8th Place |
| 2018 | Asian Games, Jakarta | Gold | Bronze |
| 2021 | Tokyo Olympics | Gold (87.58m) | 5th Place (84.62m) |
| 2022 | World Championships, Oregon | Silver (88.13m) | 5th Place (86.16m) |
| 2024 | Paris Olympics | Silver | Gold (92.97m) |
Personal Bests
- Neeraj Chopra: 90.23m (Doha Diamond League, May 2025)
- Arshad Nadeem: 92.97m (Paris Olympics 2024)
World Rankings (as of Sept 2025)
- Neeraj Chopra: World No. 2
- Arshad Nadeem: Unranked (has competed in only 1 event since Paris 2024)
More Than Just Two Contenders
While the spotlight is on Chopra vs Nadeem, it’s important to remember that other world-class throwers are also in the mix. The men’s javelin field is stacked with talent, and on any given day, an underdog could rise.
Still, there’s no denying that Neeraj and Arshad have become the faces of javelin in Asia, and now, they’re vying for global supremacy once again.
What to Watch For in the Final
- Will Neeraj Chopra defend his title and make history?
- Can Arshad Nadeem pull off another upset like Paris 2024?
- Will we see another 90m+ throw under the Tokyo lights?
Whatever the outcome, the stage is set for an unforgettable evening of athletics — one where personal ambition, national pride, and historic opportunity all collide.
Written by: Hubaish
