Neeraj Chopra will face off against Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem once again in the javelin final at the World Athletics Championships on Thursday. The Indian star, who has already crossed the 90-metre mark this season, aims to defend his world title on the biggest stage.
Chopra made the qualification round look effortless, needing just one throw to secure his spot in the final. His 84.85-metre effort comfortably surpassed the automatic qualification mark of 84.50m, marking the fifth consecutive occasion he has qualified for a major final with his first attempt — including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, 2022 and 2023 World Championships, and the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Joining Chopra in the final are Germany’s Julian Weber, who secured qualification with an 87.21m throw on his second attempt, compatriot Sachin Yadav, and reigning Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, who clinched his spot with a last-attempt effort.
Chopra, who won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is aiming to reclaim glory after Nadeem dethroned him last year with a 92.97m throw. Chopra, meanwhile, settled for 89.45m in Paris. The 12-man final also features world-class competitors such as former world champion Anderson Peters, Germany’s Julian Weber, and Kenya’s Julius Yego.
The Chopra–Nadeem rivalry, a defining moment for South Asian athletics, promises high drama as both athletes vie for gold.
World Athletics Championship Javelin Final – Streaming Details:
Date: Thursday, September 18, 2025
Time: 4:00 PM IST
Live Telecast: Star Sports Select 1 and Star Sports Select 1 HD
Live Streaming: JioHotstar app and website