Tokyo: Neeraj Chopra has finished in eighth place in the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, marking a rare off-day for the two-time Olympic medalist.
The Indian star, known for his consistent performances, has failed to defend his world title after producing below-par throws across six attempts.
Chopra, who has already achieved an impressive 90.23 meters at the Doha Diamond League earlier this year, has managed a best throw of 84.03 meters in the final. His series also included 83.65 meters and 82.86 meters, while two of his efforts were fouls. Despite entering as a strong contender following his Paris Diamond League win with 88.16 meters, Chopra has not been able to match his usual standards.
Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem has also disappointed, finishing tenth. Nadeem, who produced a career-best 92.97 meters at the 2024 Paris Olympics to secure gold ahead of Chopra’s 89.45 meters silver effort, has struggled in Tokyo with a best throw of only 82.75 meters.
Germany’s Julian Weber has finished fifth with a throw of 86.11 meters, failing to convert his strong form into a medal. In contrast, India’s Sachin Yadav has emerged as one of the biggest positives, securing fourth place with a personal best of 86.27 meters on his very first attempt. Though several competitors later surpassed him, Yadav’s performance has been regarded as a breakthrough moment.
The gold medal has been claimed by Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott, who has stunned the field with a season’s best throw of 88.16 meters.
Walcott has also registered 87.83 meters, which alone would have been enough to secure the title. Grenada’s Anderson Peters, a former world champion, has settled for silver with 86.26 meters, while the bronze has gone to USA’s Curtis Thompson, who produced 86.67 meters.
The final has highlighted how even the most consistent throwers can struggle under pressure. While Chopra and Nadeem have both endured a disappointing outing, the event has brought forward new names, with Yadav’s rise and Walcott’s resurgence standing out as the main storylines.
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