Arshad Nadeem Targets World Championships Clash with Neeraj Chopra

Neeraj Chopra, India's Olympic gold medalist, has been making waves in the athletics world, securing his second victory of 2025 at the Ostrava Golden Spike event with an impressive 85.29-meter throw in the javelin competition. The event was hosted by Chopra's personal coach, Jan Zelezny, the current world record holder. Among the competitors was Thomas Rohler, the Rio Olympics gold medalist.

Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem, set to compete at the World Athletics Championships.

This triumph follows Chopra's recent victory at the Paris Diamond League. Earlier in the season, he finished second to Germany's Julian Weber at the Doha Diamond League meet and the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial event.

Meanwhile, Pakistan's Olympic champion, Arshad Nadeem, was absent from these four events. Nadeem has been strategically planning his competition schedule this season, prioritizing training in Pakistan. He did participate in the Asian Athletics Championship last month, an event Chopra chose to skip, and clinched a gold medal with an 86.40-meter throw.

Nadeem has his sights set on the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, scheduled for September 13-21.

"My focus is on the World Athletics Championships and I am working hard for that," Nadeem stated. "It is very hot in Lahore. I am going to England soon and will be training there for a month."

The World Athletics Championships in Tokyo promise to be an exciting event, where both Nadeem and Chopra are expected to compete, renewing their rivalry on the global stage.

Nadeem made history at the Paris Olympics last year, setting a new Olympic javelin record with a remarkable 92.97-meter throw. This achievement denied Chopra the opportunity to defend his gold medal from the pandemic-affected Tokyo Olympics.

Recently, Nadeem was the chief guest at a World Olympic Day celebration in Lahore, where he shared his thoughts on his accomplishments and offered words of encouragement to aspiring athletes.

"It is a matter of pride for athletes to celebrate this day, and I am proud that I am celebrating it as an Olympic gold medalist for the first time," Nadeem expressed.

He also inspired young athletes, emphasizing the significance of determination and hard work. "My message to the youngsters is to stay focused. I came from a small place and won a gold medal. So, if they work hard, they too can win medals."