World Athletics Championships 2025 Final: Keshorn Walcott wins title, Sachin Yadav finishes 4th; Neeraj Chopra ends 8th, Arshad Nadeem 10th

Neeraj Chopra speaks after ending 8th at a World Championship.

“I don’t understand what happened today. This has not happened for a long time. I had some problems before coming to Tokyo. Two weeks ago I had some back issues but I didn’t want to tell anyone. I was thinking I would still manage to get through it. But javelin is really tough. If you are not in a good shape, you’re out,” Neeraj was quoted as saying by World Athletics. “It’s OK. I will learn from today. Maybe I need more training or to improve my technique. Maybe I just need more time for training. But it’s life, it’s sport. I have to accept it and move on. Competing two days in a row was not a problem. It was OK because I qualified yesterday with my first throw. It was not too far but I was thinking it was still good, and that I could throw further today. I will go back to my room, watch the competition and check on my throws. I will work on it.”

He was the most feared power thrower in javelin before Tokyo Olympics. But 2021 Games broke Johannes Vetter and a bunch of injuries derailed him terribly, to the extent that even in 2025, German Jojo will not be on starting lists at Tokyo World Championships.

What has the German been up to? At the start of 2025, Vetter joined up with Hylo to formally plot a "comeback in early 30s."

This saw him slowly build up at the Offenburg facility, where he literally trained in rain and shine over the summer. Under intense sun, Vetter has posted several videos on Instagram of his training run-up accelerations. In one such highlighting attention to details the focus was on the block foot and striding. But Vetter, who faced a range of issues including a painful elbow, has been putting in humongous workouts to grow his strength.

Videos show him at at 'flying-weights' - dangerous move of throw and catch of lighter bars on bench press, as well as deadlifts at 150+kg.

Besides water gymnastics and resistance swimming, Vetter has also done tightrope or stretch tape walks clutching a javelin ready to be thrown for balance. Most reels are hashtagged to Mission 100 - which is assumed to be a 100 metre throw. As one of the all time power throwers (minority flexibility), the 100m isn't supposed to be beyond him, but the Dressen-born world champion from 2017 London when he was 24, has faced heartbreak at Olympics, but has spoken of his determination to return to the field. 

But what's kept him busy are a wide variety of things - including a full-fledged immersion into politics. Vetter is a member of the CSU Baden-Wurttemberg (Christian Social Union) party, a Bavarian regional conservative branch of the larger party in Offenburg. Vetter has been involved in grassroots politics, working at the local municipal Council. 

Klaus Bartonietz, the man who coached Keshorn Walcott to a gold medal at the World Championship in Tokyo, was the man who oversaw Neeraj Chopra winning two Olympic medals and two world championship medals.

He's often spoken about Neeraj Chopra's attention to detail in glowing detail.

Here's what Dr Bartonietz had said about Neeraj Chopra in an interview with The Indian Express in July 2023:

"Like a Formula One race driver who understands the power, engine speed and everything about the car, Neeraj understands the event and his body. He is not just doing what is necessary in training but also thinks about it, which is very good. Like how to make the exercises more efficient, understanding the event, understanding technique and his body. How to bring the best out of his body.”

Chopra's consistency of finishing in the top-3 in competitions is down to his 100 percent effort  training, his mental toughness and also his modesty, the coach said.

"He is a very hard worker. Also, you have to be mentally strong, otherwise you are not going to win at big events. He is not overconfident but is realistic. He never talks nonsense and never makes a big noise. He is a modest person from the countryside and knows where his weaknesses are and where his strengths are. You see, sometimes people boast on Instagram about the weight they are lifting. But he just smiles and says 'javelin must travel far and not the bar’."

New world champion Keshorn Walcott speaks after winning gold.

Here's what the Trinidad star had to say: "I have been waiting for this medal for 13 years. Olympic victory at the age of 19 was incredible. I could never beat it. But every world championship I hoped, I was ready. I have been fighting for this but I was always off the podium. I even thought that the championships are not my competition. But I never gave up.

He added: "If I had given up, I would not be here. Maybe some changes I made last year, paid off. To change my coach was the best decision I have made recently. We knew that the competition today would be tough. We were expecting a lot more throws. But at the end of the day the best throw wins. I'm happy it was mine. After the second round I was sure that a medal was very close. I just needed to put in some more effort and go get it. It's going to be crazy right now. My phone is going to be crazy. I cannot image what kind of celebration waits for me at home."

Shivani Naik writes:

Hopefully this is the end of the hyper fixation with Arshad Nadeem. There's many more fish to fry heading into LA, and duels don't lend themselves to javelin, a truly spread out event.

Until the Asian Games at least!

Shivani Naik writes:

Ages on the javelin podium 32, 27, 29. That's an average of 29.

Vetter is preparing for a comeback at 31.

Javelin is a long career marathon, with second & third stints, if careers of Peters and Walcott are to be gleaned. There are massive dips, but comebacks to very top very possible.

A disappointing day for India (and Pakistan) at the World Athletics Championships. Neeraj Chopra, who had come to Tokyo defending his World Championship crown, can only finish 8th! And Olympic champion from Pakistan, Arshad Nadeem, ends even worse: at 10th spot in the 12-athlete final.

But in the form of Sachin Yadav, India will have hopes for the future! Sachin ended 4th in the standings, with a personal best at Tokyo just when he needed it. Too often---with the notable exception of Neeraj Chopra---we have seen Indian athletes under-perform at big-ticket events like the World Championships. But all through today, Sachin Yadav was constantly contending for a medal, even as Neeraj endured a rare off day in competition.

Here's what the final standings look like:

The 32-year-old Keshorn Walcott wins his first World Championships gold medal, 13 year after he became Olympic Champion at the 2012 London Olympics.

Grenada's Anderson Peters is second while USA's Curtis Thompson ends with bronze!

INDIA'S SACHIN YADAV ENDS FOURTH WHILE NEERAJ CHOPRA IS 8TH!

Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem cannot do better than 10th!

Pritish Raj notes:

Sachin Yadav chose the biggest stage to prove that he belongs at the top level of competition.

He is consistently throwing around the 85m mark and becomes the first-ever Indian to outperform Neeraj Chopra in a major global final.

Julius Yego is out injured and will not take his final throw! We saw him some time back on the floor grimacing in injury. But now we're told that he cannot continue, this means he will end 6th!

Vinayakk Mohanarangan writes:

IAAF Continental Cup, Ostrava.

9th September 2018.

It was 2,566 days before today that Neeraj finished OUTSIDE TOP THREE at any event.

A sensational podium / top-three streak comes to an end. One of India’s most consistent streaks, mind you. Probably the toughest days Neeraj has had in a long time, minus his injuries.

Keshorn Walcott extends his lead with a throw of 88.16m! He already had a throw of 87.83m.

Mihir Vasavda writes: 88.16m, Walcott! Four years after he led Neeraj Chopra to the top of the podium in Tokyo, Klaus Bartonietz is guiding another thrower to a gold medal -- Trinidad and Tobago's Keshorn Walcott. Comfortably placed heading into the last two throws

Neeraj Chopra manages a paltry distance---by his standards---of 82.86m with his fourth throw! Chopra falls on his knees in his follow throw after release!

And we see him screaming into the ground in frustration. He's not having the best of nights at a stadium where he became a history-making Olympic champion.

Mihir Vasavda writes: This is the first time we have seen Neeraj Chopra be so angry and frustrated in competition. He's let out a loud roar and looks red.

Vinayakk Mohanarangan writes:

Jakub Vadlejch could have eliminated Arshad Nadeem halfway through this final if he had managed 82.75+ But he hasn't.

Nadeem survives. Wow. Who would have thought we’d have Nadeem 10th & Neeraj 8th after three rounds? Who would have thought Walcott would be the man to beat!

Neeraj Chopra has a x against his name for his third throw. No mark! But Neeraj Chopra remains in 8th spot in the standings while Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem is 10th.

Nadeem has not crossed 83m after three attempts so far today!

We have a surprise leader after two rounds as Keshorn Walcott throws 87.83m with his second attempt!

This means Sachin Yadav is fourth in the standings right now with Neeraj Chopra 8th!

Vinayakk Mohanarangan writes:

KESHORN WALCOTT! Where did that come from? The 2012 London Olympics gold medallist is in the lead with a monster 2nd throw! 87.83. This is WILD.

Pritish Raj notes:

Keshorn Walcott is at the top!

As unpredictable as it can get, you have defending World Champion, World Leader and Olympic champion out of the podium positions.

Keshorn Walcott is the new leader as he is at the top with a throw of 87.83m.

Crazy final

Pritish Raj writes:

Yesterday, the qualification cutoff of 82.89m of the Javelin Throw was the second toughest qualification in the history of the World Athletics Championships and overall third toughest if you count Olympics also.

This final promises to be an unexpected final much like the theme of this year's edition of the Championships where everyday there is underdog becoming World Champion.

Hold on to you seats for this roller coaster ride

Mihir Vasavda writes: "At Tokyo Olympics, Chopra had explained how the humidity impacted the throws. The National Stadium, he said, was an enclosed arena and there's very little wind. Back then, he threw flatter, 'which meant there was less turbulence and javelin would travel farther'. His competitors gave it more flight, which Chopra and his then coach, Klaus Bartonietz, felt was one of the differences. Given the humidity in Tokyo tonight, this tip from his former coach could come in handy for Chopra."

86.67 from USA’s Curtis Thompson! A surprise leader after all the big names have done their first attempts. Neeraj third as of now, behind the American and Anderson Peters. This is, as we thought, off to a VERY TIGHT start.

India's Neeraj Chopra propels himself to second spot in the standings with four throwers getting their first throws in. Neeraj has a throw of 83.65m first up, which is just behind Anderson Peters, with 84.59m.

Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem throws 82.73m and is fourth! And Nadeem does not look too happy with his distance. But yesterday too, he needed to warm up with his first two qualification throws, before he threw his best distance of Wednesday.

Why did Arshad Nadeem struggle to qualify for the final? The Olympic champion from Pakistan put it on his recent surgery. Nadeem had undergone calf surgery in July and has competed just once since the Paris Olympics.

The lack of competition seemed to have affected his performance. He told the World Athletics: "I haven’t had much practice with my run-ups since my surgery, so that’s something I need to focus on tomorrow. If I can get a good run-up, I’ll have my throw."

And the javelin throw final starts shortly. The athletes, including Neeraj, are out in the middle already getting a feel of the atmosphere in the stadium.

And we also have our first glimpse of Neeraj Chopra, the man with the world champion's crown on his head that he's hoping to defend here in Tokyo.

Only two men in history have defended a world championship gold in javelin throw, one of them being Neeraj's coach Jan Zelezny. Can Neeraj Chopra join his coach and idol, Zelezny?

Did you know that in the last three World Championships and the previous two Olympics no European male won the gold in javelin.

When Germany's Julian Weber was asked why this has happened in an in interview with The Indian Express, he said: "It’s crazy. It’s shifted a lot. There’s so many great javelin throwers all around the world, like from Grenada, Trinidad and Tobago, India, Pakistan and Kenya. And it’s really nice. It’s probably one of the most international disciplines. It’s nice to see that javelin throw is getting bigger all around the world. And especially in India, it has gotten really big with Neeraj. I think change came a little bit because of Kenyan Julius Yego (2015 World Champion), the YouTube man. A lot of people thought that if he can do it… learning javelin throw and winning a medal at the World Championship, I can do that too. And then there was also Keshorn Walcott (from Trinidad and Tobago) winning gold at the 2012 Olympics. It’s just the evolution of the javelin throw."

Vinayakk Mohanarangan notes: Here are the best throwers of 2025 ahead of the Tokyo showpiece. Weber has been leading the way pretty much all through, starting with that big throw in Doha. Da Silva threw 91m in August but hasn’t made the final here. Neeraj is third on the World List 2025.

Here are the best throws of 2025 so far in men's javelin:

1. 91.51m Julian Weber (Ger) Zurich Aug 28

2. 91.00m Luiz Mauricio Da Silva (Bra) Sao Paulo Aug 3

3. 90.23m Neeraj Chopra (Ind) Doha May 16

4. 87.76 Curtis Thompson (USA) Austin Mar 28

5. 87.16 Yuta Sakiyama (JPN) Tokyo Jul 5

There's plenty more to the eventual javelin distance than just the run-up speed. Like, the thrower's own power, technique, launching angle, height, trajectory achieved and that abstract noun called form. But the runway track, from where the throwers build momentum does play a tiny role in how the throw pans out.

As per the Mondo track (makers) website, the Tokyo 2025 World Championships are using the same tracks as were laid out between August and November 2019, for the 2021 Olympics. It's where Neeraj Chopra won gold.

Paris three years later, ended up being the first Olympic Games where four men threw over 88 metres or better. Czechia's Jakub Vadlejch threw 88.50m and still missed out on a medal in fourth place.

As it turned out Johannes Vetter who flopped at Tokyo after being tipped for gold, was consulted to bring about javelin-specific changes in Paris. The track with sustainable sea-sell composites reflected in the distances achieved.

But will reverting to Tokyo, tilt the advantage towards Chopra?

Jan Zelezny, the man in Neeraj Chopra's corner as a coach, is a veritable legend of the sport who currently holds the world record, the world championship record and the Olympic record.

He was also a gold medalist at the 1992, 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games, has five of the top ten best throws of all time, and broke the world record on four occasions en route to claiming the current undisputed mark of 98.48m, in Germany, in 1996. Jan was coach of both other medalists Jakub Vadlejch (silver) and Vítězslav Veselý (bronze) when Chopra won Gold at Tokyo 2020, and has also coached two-time Olympic Champion and three-time World Champion Barbora Špotáková.

When the two has begun their partnership, Neeraj had said: “Growing up, I admired Jan’s technique and precision and spent a lot of time watching videos of him. He was the best in the sport for so many years, and I believe that working with him will be invaluable because our throwing styles are similar, and his knowledge is unmatched. It’s an honour to have Jan by my side as I push towards the next level in my career, and I can’t wait to get started.”

Here's a look at the throwing order for today! Neeraj Chopra will be the fourth thrower, right behind Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem. In the 2025 toplist, Neeraj has the third best throw of 2025 which was his national record-breaking heave of 90.23 metres in Doha. Arshad Nadeem's best throw of the year, meanwhile, is 86.40m, which marks him as the ninth best thrower of 2025.

Chopra will be looking to become the third male javelin thrower in history to defend the World Championships gold. Czech legend Jan Zelezny (1993, 1995), who is now Chopra's coach, and Anderson Peters (2019, 2022), who also qualified for the final, are the other two who have won the world championships crown on two consecutive occasions.

Hello and welcome to our live coverage of javelin throw final from the World Athletics Championships where India's Neeraj Chopra will be defending his title, won at Budapest 2023.

There are 11 challengers in front of Neeraj Chopra today, including the Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan and Germany's Julian Weber, the most consistent thrower from the start of the year.

Also in the race are war-grizzled veterans like Julius Yego, Anderson Peters and Jakub Vadlejch.

Can Neeraj Chopra retain his crown? Stay with us and we'll find out.