Arshad Nadeem Reaches World Athletics Final With 85.28m Throw

TOKYO: Pakistan’s javelin ace Arshad Nadeem kept fans on edge before securing his place in the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships 2025 with a decisive third attempt on Wednesday.

The 27-year-old from Mian Channu, who made history by clinching gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a record throw of 92.97 metres, endured a shaky start in the qualification round. His first effort landed at 76.99m — well short of the automatic qualification mark of 84.50m — leaving Pakistani supporters concerned.

The pressure mounted when his second throw measured only 74.17m, two metres less than his opener. But Nadeem delivered under pressure with his third attempt, sailing past the required mark to confirm his place in the final and sparking celebrations among his fans back home.

Nadeem eventually finished 11th in Group B. His qualification sets the stage for a much-anticipated face-off against India’s Olympic and defending world champion Neeraj Chopra, who qualified earlier in the day with ease, registering 84.85m on his first attempt.

The two South Asian rivals last met at the Paris Olympics, where Nadeem’s 92.97m effort won him gold, with Chopra settling for silver. Their upcoming showdown in Tokyo promises to be one of the highlights of the championships.

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Nadeem also has history at the world stage, having claimed silver at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest with a throw of 87.82m. Despite limited resources and recurring injury concerns, he has remained Pakistan’s most prominent international athletics figure in recent years.

Analysts say the men’s javelin final will be closely contested, with Germany’s Julian Weber — the season’s world leader at 91.51m — also in contention.