Pakistan and India are set for another high-profile clash, but this time it will be javelin stars Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra, who will go head-to-head at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo.

 

Germany’s Julian Weber and other leading throwers will also compete in the event scheduled for Wednesday (Sept 17). The men’s javelin throw qualifying round will take place at 4:45 pm Pakistan time.

 

The top eight throwers from the round will qualify for the final scheduled for Thursday.

 

Arshad Nadeem arrives at the championship in top form. He made history at the Paris Olympics 2024 by winning gold in the men’s javelin throw with a record-breaking effort of 92.97 meters, giving Pakistan its first-ever Olympic gold in athletics.

 

Before that, he won a historic gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2022 in Birmingham, where he set a Games record of 90.18 meters. Most recently, Nadeem secured another gold at the Asian Athletics Championship 2025, further proving his dominance on the continental stage.

 

The 27-year-old has established himself as Pakistan’s biggest athletics star and a consistent rival to India’s Neeraj Chopra. Their face-offs have now become must-watch events for fans across South Asia.

 

Ahead of the Tokyo showdown, Nadeem sent a message to his supporters. He urged the nation to keep him in their prayers and recalled the overwhelming encouragement during the Paris Olympics.

 

“I have worked hard and will give my best effort to make Pakistan proud once again,” he said.