Arshad Nadeem opens with 78.63m in Commonwealth Games javelin qualification

WEB DESK: Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem got off to a modest start in his Commonwealth Games 2026 campaign, recording a first-round throw of 78.63m in the men’s javelin event, just a little above his season-best form, as he looks to defend his position among the world’s top throwers against a stacked field led by India’s Neeraj Chopra. The first throw by athlete Yasir Sultan who is joining Nadeem, has been discarded.

All eyes will be on a possible showdown between Nadeem and Chopra, whose rivalry has become one of the most closely watched storylines in world athletics and is expected to draw fresh attention on the Commonwealth stage.

India has entered the contingent of three, including Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh alongside Chopra. Former Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago also features, rounding out one of the most competitive javelin fields of this year’s Games.

Commonwealth Games 2026 men’s javelin throw entry list

• Cameron McEntyre — Australia
• Keyshawn Strachan — The Bahamas
• Ben East — England
• Anderson Peters — Grenada
• Neeraj Chopra — India
• Rohit Yadav — India
• Yash Vir Singh — India
• Elvis Graham — Jamaica
• Julius Yego — Kenya
• Chinecherem Nnamdi — Nigeria
• Arshad Nadeem — Pakistan
• Muhammad Yasir — Pakistan
• Lakona Gerega — Papua New Guinea
• Douw Smit — South Africa
• Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage — Sri Lanka
• Sumedha Ranasinghe — Sri Lanka
• Keshorn Walcott — Trinidad and Tobago
• Usufono Eneli — Tuvalu

Key contenders to watch

Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan): The Olympic gold medallist remains among the biggest threats in the field, with a potential clash against Chopra set to be one of the tournament’s most-watched contests.

Neeraj Chopra (India): The first Indian thrower to breach the 90-metre mark enters as a leading favourite as he chases the Commonwealth title he last won in 2018.

Anderson Peters (Grenada): A two-time world champion, Peters has been a fixture among the sport’s elite and is expected to be firmly in medal contention.

Julius Yego (Kenya): The former world champion carries significant big-stage experience and remains capable of troubling the favourites.

Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago): The former Olympic champion adds further depth to an already stacked field.