Arshad Nadeem ignores talk of Neeraj Chopra challenge in a profound way, focuses on himself ahead of World Athletics Championships

The much-anticipated Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem battle, which has not taken place since the 2024 Olympics, where the Pakistani javelin thrower dethroned the Indian athletics star, could finally take place at the Athletics World Championships 2025 in Tokyo this month. Arshad Nadeem has competed in just one tournament since winning the Olympic gold last year in Paris with a huge throw of 92.97m.

While the Pakistani athlete won the Asian Championships gold in May 2025, Neeraj did not take part in the event. Neeraj’s focus in 2025 has been the Diamond League and the World Championships. The Paris Games silver medallist finished second in the Diamond League finals with a best throw of 85.01m.

Neeraj remains consistent in 2025 season

The 27-year-old Indian also won the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru in July with a throw of 86.18m, and has been in top-two in all competitions this year. Nadeem was also scheduled to take part in the NC Classic in India, but pulled out due to injury.

But they are now set to take on each other once again in the World Championships, which start this weekend. But the men’s javelin throw final will take place on 18 September in Tokyo.

While world champion Neeraj and Nadeem have always shown a lot of respect for each other, the situation around them has changed a lot since the ghastly Pahalgam attack in the Indian Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir by Pakistani terrorists.

Nadeem plays down rivalry with Neeraj

Before leaving for Tokyo, Nadeem was asked by local reporters in Lahore about his competition with Neeraj. The 28-year-old refused to talk about Neeraj and added that his competition is always with himself.

“My competition is always against Arshad Nadeem, I have my competitions against myself. I am in good shape and well prepared for the contest in Tokyo. Most of the other main rivals in Tokyo [javelin throw event] are same who were at the Paris Olympics, so it will be good contest,” he said at an event at Punjab Stadium, as per the Dawn.

Arshad Nadeem also did not shy away from declaring that his eyes are firmly fixed on the world title crown. “I always target to do my best in every event and I am going to Tokyo with the same mission with high hopes. And rest is on God,” Arshad added.

Neeraj won the last World Championships in 2023 at Budapest, and has already managed to breach the 90m mark for the first time earlier this year. He recorded a national record throw of 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League meeting in May.

Besides Neeraj, Nadeem will also face stiff competition from in-form Julian Weber of Germany, who is the 2025 season leader with a Diamond League winning throw of 91.51m in the finals in Zurich last month.