Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem showdown unlikely: Both javelin stars absent from entry list of Silesia DL

A sports journalist passionate about the moments that go beyond the scoreboard.

Published at :August 10, 2025 at 10:39 PM

Modified at :August 10, 2025 at 10:40 PM

The last time Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem clashed was at Paris Olympics 2024.

The much-anticipated India vs Pakistan javelin showdown — a rematch of the Paris Olympics 2024 battle between Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem — will not take place, as the two top javelin throwers from Asia are absent from the entry list for the upcoming Silesia Diamond League 2025, scheduled for August 16.

Their rivalry reached new heights at the Paris Games, where Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem made history with a monstrous throw of 92.97m, securing his country’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics. Chopra took silver with a beat attempt of 89.45m.

After that thrilling showdown, fans had hoped for a reunion of the arch-rivals at the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 in Bengaluru — India’s first-ever World Athletics Gold label javelin event.

However, Nadeem was unavailable due to a scheduling clash with the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. Political tensions further complicated matters, as India had suspended sporting ties with Pakistan following the Pahalgam terror attack.

On This Day in 2021, Neeraj Chopra put #IndianAthletics on the global map! 🇮🇳💥Clinched a historic Gold with a historic Throw of the Javelin#Athletics @Neeraj_chopra1 https://t.co/PAtQYkreOe
— Khel Now (@KhelNow) August 7, 2025

At the Bengaluru meet, Chopra thrilled the home crowd by winning gold with an 86.18m effort, while in South Korea, Nadeem claimed gold with a throw of 86.40m, becoming the first Pakistani since 1973 to win an Asian Athletics Championships title.

The Silesia Diamond League was expected to feature their first meeting since Paris, but the prospect dimmed after Nadeem underwent surgery on his right calf in London last month. Incidentally, Chopra’s name is also missing from the javelin throw entry list in the event.

Silesia Diamond League 2025 Entry List (Credits: Screenshot from Diamond League Page)

Chopra has enjoyed a stellar 2025 season breaking the 90m barrier with a national record throw of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem: Who is ranked higher in men’s javelin throw?

He finished second at the Janusz Kusociński Memorial in Poland, claimed the win at the Paris Diamond League. The golden man of India once again won the Ostrava Golden Spike in Czechia and then the NC Classic.

With both stars skipping Silesia, all eyes are now on the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, starting on 13th September. Aisa’s top two javelin throwers are expected to renew their rivalry on the global stage.

When did Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem last clashed in a javelin throw event?

Their most recent head-to-head was at the Paris Olympics 2024, where Nadeem won gold with a throw of 92.97m, while Chopra took silver with 89.45m

When are they expected to compete against each other next?

Neeraj and Arshad are both expected to take part in the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, next month.

Will Neeraj Chopra compete at Silesia Diamond League?

While there is no official confirmation, Chopra’s name is missing from the entry list of men’s javelin throw event.

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Uzma Fatima

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.