From the Paris Olympics, when Pakistanan Arshad overcame India Neeri Chopra to take gold and bloom their runs in rivalry, their next clash was one of the most anticipated javelin events. It was supposed to happen on Neer Chopra Classic – a monumental international event organized at the beginning of this year by a double Olympic medalist from India – but no. Then they were expected to meet in the Diamond League, but it didn’t happen. So Famef-off at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo It was set to ignite fireworks.
Neera, one -off, put India on a spear map, and when Arshad joined the side that South Asia suddenly found itself on the basis of European and American dominance in sport. Both Olympic medalists completed one two at the World Championship in Budapest in 2023 and exchanged these positions at the Paris Olympics.
In no time, India-Pakistani rivalry in Javelin equally coincided-and fans were driving fans with success in both countries. When cricket rivalry was driving unilateral, Neera vs Arshad became a competition that everyone was looking forward to at the subcontinent.
The Paris Olympic finals were the basin. Little expected that Arshad would hit gold, but he – with a monstrous Olympic record of 92.97 mWhile Neeraj was still chasing the elusive brand 90 m. Once Arshad landed this throw, the pressure gripped Neera, who managed only one legal throw from six – 89.45 m, enough to silver, but a short of his golden goal.
Neera, however, was a model of consistency – a scale for young throws around the world. Since his debut, the senior launched 40 throws over 85 meters and ended up in the first two almost every competition for four years. Yet he also admitted that the efforts of Arshad meant that the pressure of 90 meters had to gather the pace.
Neeraj, determined to develop, joined his forces with Jan Zelene, the world record holder, and probably the largest javelin thrower of all time and reworked his book to iron technical shortcomings. The results were fast: at the beginning of this year, in Doha Diamond League, Neej finally broke the 90m barrier.
Neej was preparing not only to be the best, but also to beat the best.
That is why Thursday’s clearing brings so much weight. For Neeraj it is a return, redemption for Paris and defense of its world title. He knows that Arshad is able to convene another mammoth throw. Can he deal with him this time?
Contrasting routes to the finals
The qualifiers on Wednesday indicated stories. Neera, calm and folded In hot, humid Tokyo conditions, he sealed his place in one and made – 84.50 m, automatic qualifying mark. He immediately packed his bags, even asked the official how to slip without disrupting other events, and headed for healing. He was one of the only two of the 37 competitors who qualified in their first attempt.
“The distance is not so good, but the remotely does not matter. The best thing is that we have exceeded the automatic qualifying mark in the first throw. And this is also the first time the finals.
Arshad, on the other hand, flirted with a disaster. His first two efforts – 76,19 ma 74,17 m – left him in the risk of early departure. But when it mattered most, he found his rhythm and in his last attempt he threw a spear 85.28 m. The relief was mistaken when he gripped his hands and thanked the sky.
So the final of the men’s spear in Tokyo promises a scandal competition. The subcontinent will watch Neera vs Arshad, but it would be reduced to frame this final only as an indo-pak duel.
The field is stacked with threats. German Julian Weber, long plagued almost Misses, is in the form of his life. He opened his season in Doha not only by breaking 90 meters for the first time, but set off Neera with a effort of 91.06 m. After, in Zurich last month, he reached the peak – 91.51 m to take the diamond trophy far in front of the persulting package while Neera finished second in 85.01 m.
Former World Champion Anderson Peters, with the personal best of 93.07 m, sent a warning in qualifying with 89.53 m. The Paris Olympic Bronze Medalist looks ready for another stage.
Veteran Julius Yego of Kenya, still burning with competing fire at the age of 36, cleaned the qualification with the first stay of 85.96 m.
Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Jakub Vadlejch, despite injuries, has qualified with 84.11 and draws the power of happy memories of this stadium. Polish David Wegner surprised much with the personal best of the 85.67 MV qualification, while Brazilian Luis Maurcio de Silva, who boasts the best season from 91.00 m, is another name that will not be ignored.
Add to this the drain Tokyo humidity, where four years ago the Olympic gold was removed with only 87.58 m. The conditions of the conditions will be as essential as the raw distance.
Yes, Neej returns to the arena of his first Olympic triumph. Yes, Arshad is here to prove that it is not only a one -time, but a champion that can add a world crown to his Olympic gold. But come on Thursday, the rivalry Indo-Pak will be just one subplot of what promises to be the final of the blockbuster. And no one complains.
Javelin Final in Tokyo Worlds: Start List
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Julian Weber, Ger – Season Best: 91.51, Personal Best: 91.51
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Anderson Peters, GRN – Season Best: 89,53, Personal Best: 93,07
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Arshad Nadeem, then – Season Best: 86,40, Personal Best: 92,97
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Neera Chopra, Ind – Season Best: 90.23, personal best: 90.23
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Julius YEGO, KEN – Season Best: 85,96, personal best: 92,72
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Curtis Thompson, USA – Season Best: 87,76, Personal Best: 87,76
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Cameron Mcentare, Aus – Season Best: 83.03, Personal Best: 83.03
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Dawid Wegner, Pol – Season Best: 85,67, Personal Best: 85,67
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Sachin Yadav, Ind – Season Best: 85.16, Personal Best: 85,16
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Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage, Sri – Season Best: 86.50, Personal Best: 86.50
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Jakub Vadlejch, Jun – Season Best: 84.11, Personal Best: 90.88
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Keshorn Walcott, Tto – Season Best: 86.30, Personal Best: 90.16
– ends
Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
September 18, 2025
