Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem set for World Athletics Championship showdown after Operation Sindoor

The championship, running from September 13-21 at Japan's National Stadium, features both athletes in the men's javelin throw qualifiers beginning at 3:40 PM IST.

Different Groups in Qualifiers

Despite the anticipated clash, Chopra and Nadeem will compete in separate groups during Wednesday's qualifying round. The defending world champion Chopra has been placed in Group A, while Olympic gold medallist Nadeem features in Group B. This separation means the much-awaited direct confrontation will only materialize in Thursday's final round, provided both athletes advance.

Stakes and Recent Form

Chopra enters as the defending World Champion after his historic 88.17-meter throw at the 2023 Budapest Championships, where he became India's first world athletics champion. Meanwhile, Nadeem arrives as the defending Olympic Champion following his outstanding 92.97-meter throw at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where he denied Chopra a second consecutive Olympic gold.

This season has seen Chopra achieve his career milestone by crossing the 90-meter barrier for the first time with a 90.23-meter throw at the Doha Diamond League. However, he faces stiff competition from Germany's Julian Weber, who defeated him at the Diamond League Final.

Nadeem's Recovery Journey

Pakistan's star thrower Nadeem is competing for the first time since undergoing right calf muscle surgery in England this July. His participation comes after missing the July Diamond League due to his recovery. The 28-year-old's last major competition was winning gold at the Asian Championship in Korea with an 86.40-meter throw.

Qualification Process

A total of 37 athletes have been divided into two groups, with 19 throwers in Chopra's Group A and 18 in Nadeem's Group B. The automatic qualification mark stands at 84.50 meters, with at least 12 athletes advancing to Thursday's final. Each athlete receives three attempts in the qualifying round, with their best throw determining advancement.

Strong Competition Field

Beyond the India-Pakistan rivalry, the championship features formidable competitors including Germany's Julian Weber, two-time world champion Anderson Peters from Grenada, former Olympic champion Keshorn Walcott from Trinidad and Tobago, and Japan's Yuta Sakiyama with his season-best 87.16 meters.

Historic Significance

The competition takes place at the same stadium where Chopra won his historic Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold with an 87.58-meter throw. Notably, Nadeem had finished fifth in that event with 84.62 meters, making their current rivalry all the more compelling.

India's Strong Representation

India has sent its largest-ever javelin contingent to the World Championships, with four athletes competing: Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh, and Rohit Yadav. This represents a historic achievement for Indian athletics, showcasing the country's growing depth in the discipline.

The rivalry between Chopra and Nadeem has evolved into one of athletics' most compelling storylines, with Chopra holding a commanding 9-1 head-to-head record against his Pakistani rival. Their first encounter since the politically charged atmosphere following Operation Sindoor adds extra significance to this World Championship showdown.