Neeraj, Arshad exit as Sachin Yadav stuns at World Athletics Championships Javelin Final

Neeraj Chopra, the defending world champion, managed 83.65 m on his opening attempt and improved to 84.03 m in Round 2 but found himself in eighth place, the last to qualify for further attempts. A sub-85 m performance proved insufficient, and the Indian star bowed out in his first appearance at Tokyo’s National Stadium since his 2021 Olympic triumph.

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem endured an even rougher day. The reigning Olympic champion fouled his second throw after an 82.73 m opener, slipping to 10th place and failing to register a valid mark in Round 2. His campaign ended abruptly, marking the pair’s first joint early exit since their intense rivalry began on the global stage.

In stark contrast, 25-year-old Sachin Yadav of India lit up the runway with an opening heave of 86.27 m a new career best propelling him into third place heading into Round 3. Yadav’s power and composure stunned the field, placing him ahead of seasoned campaigners like Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who led early with 87.38 m, and USA’s Curtis Thompson at 86.67 m. Yadav’s throw outdistanced even Neeraj’s best by over two metres, underscoring his arrival on the world stage.

Germany’s Julian Weber, entering as world No. 1 with a season-leading 91.51 m, sits in medal contention alongside Yadav as the final three rounds loom. The top eight athletes will battle it out for podium places, but it is Yadav’s breakthrough that has captured the headlines in what was billed as an India-Pakistan showdown.

With Chopra and Nadeem's campaigns concluded, all eyes now turn to Sachin Yadav as he aims to capitalize on his surprise performance and possibly become India’s next javelin medal winner on the world championship stage.