World Athletics Championships 2025 Day 6 Wrap: Neeraj fails to defend javelin title; Sachin Yadav finishes fourth with new PB
(Courtesy : Screengrab/JioHotstar)
India are yet to win a medal at World Athletics Championships 2025.
India endured its worst-ever heartbreak on Thursday as Neeraj Chopra failed to defend his men’s javelin throw title on Day 6 of the World Athletics Championships 2025, bowing out of the multi-sport athletics event after an evening of struggle and disapppointment.
However, it was not all gloomy, as Sachin Yadav emerged as the silver lining with his fourth-place finish in the men’s javelin throw final. Sachin, 25, smashed his Personal Best twice to end the final ahead of Chopra in the standings.
Elsewhere, Pooja Olla also recorded a new PB although it wasn’t enough to land her a place in the women’s 800m semi-finals. Pooja finished last (7th) in her heats and 32nd overall with a timing of 2:01.03s.
Also Read: India at World Athletics Championships 2025 Day 6 Highlights & Replay
Neeraj, who is a two-time medallist at the world stage, finished eighth in the final—the first time he has finished outside a podium place since 2018 and outside the top two for the first time since Tokyo Olympics 2021.
Incidentally it is at Tokyo where Chopra’s seven-year stint of finishing outside the top two ends, the same stage where he won his first senior major title (Olympic Gold).
The reigning champion entered the men’s javelin throw final with high expectations, having qualified on Wednesday with an 84.85m throw in his very first attempt. But on Thursday, the 27-year-old struggled to find the rhythm.
Chopra’s opening attempt of 83.65m was below par, and although he improved slightly to 84.03m in his second, it remained his best of the night.
The third was a foul, the fourth dropped to 82.86m, and his final two chances produced another foul and a no-improvement.
Chopra eventually finished eighth, ending his medal streak that stretched back to 2018.
It marked the first-time since 2018 that the Indian javelin ace finished out of the top three place in men’s javelin.
Also Read: Neeraj Chopra’s podium streak ends, Sachin Yadav smashes personal best
On the other hand, young Sachin Yadav—making his debut at the World—produced the throw of his life, a personal best of 86.27m in his very first attempt. For a while, it stood as the second best.
But at the end, Yadav was edged out of the podium. His throws (foul, 84.90m, 85.96m, 80.95m) could not surpass his opener, leaving him in fourth place.
Meanwhile, on the track, Pooja clocked a personal best of 2:01.03 in the women’s 800m heats. But she could not qualify for the semi-finals finishing seventh in her race.
Earlier in the tournament, she had also competed in the 1500m, running 4:13.75 to place 11th in her heat. Now, her campaign finally ends.
World Athletics Championships 2025 Day 6 India results
Men’s Javelin Throw Final
- Neeraj Chopra finished eighth with a best throw of 84.03m
- Sachin Yadav finished fourth with a best throw of 86.27m
Women’s 800m Heats
- Pooja Olla finished seventh in her heats and 32nd overall with time of 2:01.03s (Did not qualify for semi-finals)
India’s Day 7 schedule with event timings (IST)
- 4:00 PM: Annu Rani (Women’s Javelin Throw Qualification)
- 4:30 PM: Gulveer Singh (Men’s 5000m Heats)
Two Indians will be in action of seventh day with the nation still hunting for its first medal at the World Athletics Championships 2025.
Annu Rani is the national record holder in women’s javelin with 63.82m throw. The 33-year-old, Asian Games gold medallist, is making her fifth appearance in the tournament.
Meanwhile, the Indian long-distance runner Gulveer Singh will enter his second event in Tokyo having already participated in 10,000m final where he finished 16th. He holds the Indian national record in the men’s 5000m with a time of 12:59.77.
Which Indian athletes were in action on Day 6 of World Athletics Championships 2025?
Three Indian athletes were in action on Thursday. Neeraj Chopra & Sachin Yadav in men’s javelin throw final and Pooja Olla in women’s 800m Heats.
How did Neeraj Chopra perform in men’s javelin throw final?
Neeraj finished 8th in the men’s javelin final with a best throw of 84.03m, ending his medal streak since 2018.
How did Sachin Yadav perform in men’s javelin throw final?
Sachin Yadav produced a personal-best 86.27m but missed the podium, finishing 4th overall in the men’s javelin final.
Who will represent India on Day 7 of 2025 World Athletics Championships?
Annu Rani (women’s javelin throw qualification) and Gulveer Singh (men’s 5000m heats) will compete on Day 7.
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Uzma Fatima is a passionate sports journalist who believes every match has a story waiting to be told. Whether it's the grace of Olympic champions, the grit of tennis and badminton battles, or the drama of cricket’s highs and heartbreaks — she loves capturing the emotion behind the action. Off the field, she’s a Formula 1 enthusiast who never misses a race weekend.
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