All eyes will be on Neer Chopra when the ruling champion from India will start his campaign at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo on Wednesday 17th September. After another consistent season, the double Olympic champion is facing a tough test when he is preparing for his title defense on his return to the city, where he won the historic Olympic medal four years ago.
Since then, a lot has changed in Javelin. Neej is no longer a new boy in the block. A 27 -year -old man has become one of the leading faces of sports and inspiration for many. Since the last competition in Tokyo, he added another Olympic medal – silver in Paris – and world title, along with a diamond trophy.
World Athletics Championship: full coverage
For the first time, however, from the victory in this Medal in Tokyo, Neera will head to the main competition without the brand “favorite company”. It will compete in the world class field that will test its skill and its proven ability to shine on the largest scene.
Will Neera Arshad take?
It goes without saying that the reflector will be in India in the Pakistan fight in Tokyo. Arshad Nadeem, the Olympic champion, for the first time returns to the main competition from the stunning field and the victory of gold in Paris with an Olympic record of 92.97 m.
Neera and Arshad, however, avoid early direct battle Wednesday, after being drawn in different groups. Neera will lead the first qualifying group early in the evening, while Arshad will be in the headline of the second evening. They will both hope to ensure their qualifications with their opening feast.
What are the criteria for qualifying for the finals?
At least 12 out of 37 athletes qualify for the finals. Direct qualifications can be achieved by throwing over 84.50 m; Otherwise, the 12 best artists will proceed.
How will the Battle of Neera vs Arshad be played?
The rivalry between Neerai and Arshad has evolved beautifully. Two years after they first met in 2016, he ripened into a real competition, while the Pakistan Star was constantly ending up on stage at major events. In Budapest in 2023, Arshad ended up for Neeri at the World Championship. Last year in Paris, however, the hierarchy shifted when Arshad created his lifelong best to win Olympic gold with a record throw.
The fact that they did not compete against each other, because the Olympic finals last year only adds intrigue to the competition. Neeraj started his season First breaking the barrier of 90 meters In Diamond League, it has not achieved these heights since then. In the final of Diamond League last month had Neeraj One of his rare days Yet he still managed second place with the best 85.01 m.
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Neej knows that he will need more on Thursday than to defend the World Championship.
Meanwhile, Arshad returns to competition with pressure to meet expectations for the first time in his career. The The Olympic Champion recovered from the injury of the weaknesses This has pushed him for most of the season. He missed a number of Diamond League meetings, but won the only competition he entered in 2025 – Asian Athletic Championship in South Korea.
It is expected to be a three -way battle for the best place. Neera and Arshad will face the strict competition of an experienced thrower of German Julian Weber. After completing the fourth place at the Paris Olympics, Weber evolved into a mental powerhouse. The season began in Doha for the first time in his career for the first time in his career 90 meters, along with Neeraj. In the final of the Diamond League last month he won the highest prize of two throws exceeding 91 m.
Who are Indians in action?
While the Great Battle is reserved for Thursday’s finals, attention will also be at the Indian spear quartet.
Two years ago, two Indians – Neera, DP Man and Kishhore Jen reached the finals at the World Championship in Budapest.
While Neeraj’s place in this year’s final is almost certain, he also focuses on three other Indians in Fray – Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh.
- SuchinHigh and strongly built as an Olympic champion from Pakistan, is considered another big thing in the Indian spear. He set the personal best of 85.16 m to win silver at Asian athletic championships for Arshad in Gumi. Despite the injury, Sachin was consistent with four hours this year over 80 meters.
- Rohit Yadav, 24, debuts at the main event. This year he achieved his personal best out of 83.65 meters and through the ranking he qualified for the World Championship.
- Yashvir Singhwho first impressed throwing 80 meters plus as a 21-year-old in 2022, saw his progress in the following years. In 2025, however, at Asian athletic championships he made a strong comeback with a personal best 82.57 MAV this season recorded three throws over 80 meters.
It will be a big day for an Indian spear because the country is trying to prove its growing strength in sports by trying to have all four men in the finals.
Two out of four – Rohit and Yashvir – maybe they will need new personal bests to go through it.
Who are the other big names that need to be watched?
- In addition to the “big three”, several other athletes could leave their brand.
- London 2012 Olympic gold medalist Keshorn Walcott competitions after the reviving season 2025.
- The Paris Olympic bronze medalist Anderson Peters hopes to re -discover its peak in Tokyo.
- Luiz Mauritio da Silva of Brazil, only 25, is a dark horse with the best of 91 m this year.
- The Polish Mrzyglod Cyprus was consistent late and eager to have an impact on the big scene.
- Japanese veteran Roderick Genki Dean will have home support.
- Former World Champion and Olympic silver medalist 2016 Julius YEGO, now 36, enjoys a consistent run and remains able to produce his best in the biggest stages.
- Rumesh Tharanga: A former fast pitch, a Sri Lankan young man this year made waves. This year he threw the personal best of 86.50 meters and also competed in the classics of Neera Chopra in Bengalur.
When and where to track the qualifications of Javelin
Each group has two Indians with Neera and Sachin in the first and Rohit and Yashvir in the second.
- Group and qualifications will start at 15:40.
- Group B qualification will begin at 17:15 ist.
Star Sports will ensure live television coverage of Javelin qualification in India.
The Javelin event from the World Championship can be streamed live on Jiohotstar, India.
Tokyo 2025: Men’s Javelin Qualification Startlist
Group A.
- Neera Chopra (Ind) – PB: 90,23m | SB: 90.23 m
- Julian Weber (GER) – PB: 91.51m | SB: 91.51 m
- KESHORN WALCOTT (TTO) – PB: 90,16m | SB: 86.30 m
- Jakub Vadlejch (Jun) – PB: 90,88m | SB: 82.33 m
- Edis Matusevicius (LTU) – PB: 89,17m | SB: 84.05 m
- Cypriot Mrzyglode (Pol) – PB: 85.92 m | SB: 85.92 m
- Keyshawn Strakan (Bah) – PB: 84,27 m | SB: 81.01m
- Marc Anthony Minichello (USA) – PB: 82,65m | SB: 82.65 m
- Roderick Genki Dean (JPN) – PB: 84,66m | SB: 84.66 m
- Lassi Etelätalo (Fin) – PB: 86,44m | SB: 81.90 m
- Pedro Henrique Rodrigues (BRA) – PB: 85,11m | SB: 79.94 M
- SUMEDHA RANASINGHE (SRI) – PB: 85.78 m | SB: 85.78 m
- Yuta Sakiyama (JPN) – PB: 87,16m | SB: 87,16 m
- Sachin Yadav (Ind) – PB: 85,16 m | SB: 85.16 m
- DAWID WEGNER (POL) – PB: 83.40 m | SB: 83.40 m
- Haoran Hu (Chn) – PB: 82,14m | SB: 80,93 m
- Sindri Hrafn Gumundsson (ISL) – PB: 82,55m | SB: 81.39 m
- Billy Julio López (Col) – PB: 81.55m | SB: 80.06 m
- Leandro Ramos (POR) – PB: 84.78 m | SB: 81.94 m
Group B
- ARSHAD NADEEM (PAK) – PB: 92,97m | SB: 86.40 m
- Anderson Peters (GRN) – PB: 93.07 m | SB: 85.64 m
- Luiz Mauritio da Silva (BRA) – PB: 91.00 m | SB: 91.00 m
- Julius YEGO (KEN) – PB: 92,72M | SB: 84.51 m
- Curtis Thompson (USA) – PB: 87,76m | SB: 87.76 m
- Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (SRI) – PB: 86.50 m | SB: 86.50 m
- Lars Anthony Flaming (PAR) – PB: 81,56m | SB: 81.56 m
- EEMIL PORVARI (Fin) – PB: 82,69 m | SB: 81.55 m
- Martin UNKNIT (CZE) – PB: 80,59m | SB: 80.59 m
- Simon Wieland (SUI) – PB: 81,29m | SB: 81.29 m
- Oliver Helander (Fin) – PB: 89,83m | SB: 83.97 m
- Cameron Mcentare (AUS) – PB: 82,35 m | SB: 82.35 m
- Rohit Yadav (Ind) – PB: 83,65 m | SB: 83.65 m
- Gen Naganuma (JPN) – PB: 80,58m | SB: 80.58 m
- Marcin Krukowski (Pol) – PB: 89.55 m | SB: 84.39 m
- Yash Vir Snagr (Ind) – PB: 82,57m | SB: 82.57 m
- Artur Felfner (KR) – PB: 84.32 m | SB: 81.14 m
- DOUW SMIT (RSA) – PB: 84,12M | SB: 84.12 m
– ends
Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
September 17, 2025
