Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem Preview: What to expect, where to watch javelin final at World Athletics Championships 2025

Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem will meet in Tokyo for the first time since Paris Olympics.

For months, fans have been waiting for this moment. What happens when Asia’s two biggest javelin stars, Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem, stand shoulder to shoulder again on the world stage? On Thursday, at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, they will find the answer finally.

Neeraj and Nadeem both cleared the qualification hurdle on Wednesday though in completely different ways. Neeraj, cool as ever, made it look effortless. He sealed his spot with his very first attempt, throwing 84.85m.

For Nadeem, however, it was a far more dramatic path. The reigning Olympic champion started poorly with two sub-80m throws of 76.99m and 74.17m, his weakest throws of the season.

Also Read: India at World Athletics Championships 2025 Day 5 Highlights

But when it mattered most, he pulled off a clutch effort, firing his third attempt to 85.28m. That secured him a direct qualification, finishing fifth overall, one place ahead of Neeraj.

Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem head-to-head

This sets the stage for their first meeting since the Paris 2024. A year ago, Nadeem threw a monstrous 92.97m to take gold, smashing the Olympic record, while Neeraj, despite producing his best-ever 89.45m, had to settle for silver.

Since then, fate has kept them apart—political tensions at borders cancelled their face-off at the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, both then skipped the Brussels Diamond League, and Nadeem was recovering from surgery when Neeraj battled in the DL finals in Zurich. Now, after all the twists and turns, Tokyo brings them back together.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem head-to-head: Who holds superior H2H in men’s javelin throw?

History favours Neeraj, who has finished ahead of Nadeem in 10 of their 11 international meetings. Yet Tokyo feels special for the Indian ace, this is the soil where Neeraj carved his name into Indian sporting history with Olympic gold in 2021. On that night, Nadeem had finished fifth with 84.62m.

Neeraj Chopra qualifies for final!! 🇮🇳✨The reigning champion needed just one throw to breach the qualifying mark and book his spot in the medal round at World Athletics Championships 2025. 👏#WCHTokyo25 #Athletics pic.twitter.com/5EYeeaoh2Q

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) September 17, 2025

Threats beyond Arshad Nadeem

But the battle isn’t just about Chopra vs Nadeem in Tokyo this time. Germany’s Julian Weber looms as perhaps the bigger threat.

The reigning Diamond League champion has been in brilliant form. In Doha earlier this season, Neeraj breached the 90m barrier with 90.23m, only to be beaten by Weber’s 91.06m.

At the Diamond League Final in Zurich, Weber struck again with back-to-back 90m throws, winning gold at 91.51m while Neeraj settled for 85.01m with silver yet again.

Then there’s Anderson Peters. The two-time world champion from Grenada has spent most of this year recovering from injury, but in Tokyo, he returned like he never left.

After a warm-up throw of 84.44m, he unleashed 89.53m in his second attempt which was also the best of the qualification round.

Also Read: World Athletics Championships 2025 Day 5 Wrap: Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav move into javelin final; Animesh Kujur out

But Neeraj will not be alone on Thursday. Indian compatriot Sachin Yadav has also qualified for the finals finishing 10th overall with the best throw of 83.67m.

The other two Indians in Group B Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav managed to finish 16th and 13th in the group with 76.21 and 77.81m throws.

When will Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem clash take place at World Athletics Championships 2025?

The men’s Javelin throw final will be held on September 18, Thursday. It starts from 3:53 pm.

Where and how to watch Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem clash live in India?

The men’s javelin final at World Athletics Championships 2025 will be live telecast on Star Sports 3 and Star Sports 3 HD while live streaming will be available on JioHotstar app and website in India.

Where and how to watch Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem clash live in the USA?

In the USA, one can watch the Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem meeting on NBC and stream it on Peacock. USA Network and CNBC may also carry some sessions. 

Where and how to watch Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem clash live in the UK?

In the UK, fans can watch the Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem men’s javelin final live on BBC channels and stream it for free on BBC iPlayer. TNT Sports and the Discovery+ streaming platform will also show the event. 

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