Neeraj Chopra, Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem may finally face off in THIS event after Paris Olympics 2024
Neeraj Chopra (left) and Arshad Nadeem. (Photo: IANS)
The world has been awaiting the much-vaunted face off between India's double Olympics medallist Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Paris Olympics 2024 gold medallist Arshad Nadeem. The two javelin stars from Asia have not faced each other in any event since the Paris Olympics.
While Neeraj has been a regular in Diamond League events this season, Arshad Nadeem's only major appearance was in the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 last month which the Indian star had skipped.
It is not expected that the two Asian giants will collide in the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, which is scheduled to take place from September 13 to 21 this year. Both Neeraj Chopra and reigning Olympics champion Arshad Nadeem are building up to this event.
'My focus is on the World Athletics Championships and I am working hard for that. It is very hot in Lahore. I am going to England soon and will be training there for a month,' Arshad Nadeem told reporters in Pakistan last week.
Tight at the top!
After 2 of 4 qualification meetings for the men's javelin throw it's India's king 👑 Neeraj Chopra & German powerhouse 💥 Julian Weber who are in control.
Two more important opportunities for everyone in the standings to make it to the final in Zurich🇨🇭… pic.twitter.com/JRzNT54BCH
— Wanda Diamond League (@Diamond_League) June 26, 2025 Neeraj Chopra won Ostrava Golden Spike event
Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra won the prestigious Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 event earlier this week with a throw of 85.29m. It was Neeraj's second victory on the trot after winning the Paris Diamond League 2025 title last week.
Neeraj defeated Germany's Julian Weber, who had beaten the Indian in the Doha Diamond League 2025 and Janusz Kusocinski Memorial event earlier this year. Even Neeraj had admitted before the Ostrava event that his goal was to win in World Championships.
'I am really happy to work with such a great athlete and coach. I've already thrown 90m this year after little bit more improvement in technique. So let's see when it comes next time but I am ready. Recently we've done a good training in Nymburk (Czech Republic) so I'll do my best here in Ostrava. Main goal for the season is obviously World Championships in Tokyo,' Neeraj said.
If both athletes remain fit then fans will finally be able to witness Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem clash for the first time in more than a year. Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 to take place in Bengaluru next month
The Indian is also excited about hosting the first-ever 'Neeraj Chopra Classic' event in Bengaluru on July 5. The event had to be postponed due to India-Pakistan border tensions after India's Operation Sindoor.
'This will be my first really serious competition in India with international athletes, on July 5. I still have to manage a lot of things before competition but it will be a good experience,' he said earlier this week.
'So now it would not be good if I would say no to people. And I'm happy that now in India people recognise other sports than cricket,' he added.
Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem had set a new Olympics javelin record with a throw of 92.97m in Paris to leave Neeraj Chopra in second place. Neeraj has finally shattered the 90m barrier earlier this year.
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