World Athletics Championships: Arshad Nadeem outshines Neeraj Chopra in qualifier

TOKYO: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem has successfully qualified for the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo.

Nadeem nearly gave his fans in Pakistan a scare as he made two poor attempts in the qualification round, which fell well short of the automatic qualification mark of 84.50 metres.

WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP

After 76.99m & 74.17m in the first two, Arshad Nadeem hurled an 85.28m in his final attempt to clear the 84.50m mark & qualify for the Javelin Throw finals.

📸 – X#Athletics #WorldAthleticsChamps pic.twitter.com/tGYWOIEBNP

— RevSportz Global (@RevSportzGlobal) September 17, 2025

The first throw of 76.99 metres disappointed Nadeem’s fans, who had expected more from the Olympic gold medalist — especially after his Olympic record throw of 92.97 metres at Paris 2024.

Adding to his fans’ disappointment, Arshad Nadeem’s second throw measured 74.17 metres — two metres shorter than his first attempt.

However, he succeeded in surpassing the qualification mark of 84.50 metres on his third attempt, bringing a sigh of relief and joy to his fans.

کل انشاءاللہ پاکستانی وقت کے مطابق 4:45pm میرا کوالیفائنگ راؤنڈ ہے، آپ سب سے دعاؤں کی درخواست ہے۔ pic.twitter.com/xIYe7JXe6y

— Arshad Nadeem (@ArshadOlympian1) September 16, 2025

Nadeem’s throw 0.43m longer throw than Chopra’s

After giving his fans a near cardiac arrest, Pakistan’s first individual Olympic gold medalist finally brought them the joy they were waiting for — by outshining India.

Chopra registered 84.85 metres while Nadeem hurled a throw of 85.28m — some 0.43m longer than his Indian rival and the defending champion.

They will now face defending each other in the final.

The 27-year-old from Mian Channu – who brought home a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics – was ranked 11th in Group B of the men’s javelin throw at the World Athletics Championships 2025.

Arshad Nadeem had won a silver medal at the World Athletics Championships held in Budapest two years ago with a throw of 87.82 metres.