Arshad Nadeem heads to Tokyo for World Athletics Championship

WEB DESK: Pakistan’s star javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem is headed to Tokyo to participate in the global stage this month as he competes at the Javelin World Championship from September 13 to 21. The tournament marks his much-anticipated comeback after injury and offers him a chance to once again test himself against long-time rival Neeraj Chopra.

The gold medalist shared his photo on his Twitter while being on the plane and received loads of best wishes from people.

Nadeem had missed the Silesia Diamond League in July following surgery on his right calf, raising concerns about his fitness. However, his medical team insists he is fully prepared. “Arshad has fully recovered, and I have monitored his rehab closely,” said his doctor, Asad Abbas. “He’s back at full strength and ready for Tokyo.”

The men’s qualification round will take place at Japan’s National Stadium on September 17, with the final scheduled for the following evening. The venue carries special weight for Nadeem: it is where Chopra famously won Olympic gold in 2020 and where the Pakistani athlete now seeks to make his own statement.

Read more: Arshad Nadeem begins javelin training in England

Nadeem last faced Chopra at the Paris 2024 Olympics in a historic final. His throw of 92.97 metres not only delivered Pakistan its first Olympic athletics gold but also ended Chopra’s dominance, relegating him to silver. Since then, Nadeem has competed sparingly, with his only appearance being a gold-winning throw of 86.40m at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea.

While Chopra enters Tokyo as the defending champion, Nadeem will be aiming to improve on his silver medal from Budapest 2023. Victory in Japan would underline his rise as one of the sport’s elite and further fuel a rivalry that has captured fans across South Asia.

For Arshad Nadeem, Tokyo is more than a comeback, it is an opportunity to reclaim the spotlight and stake his claim as the world’s best javelin thrower.