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

Keshorn Walcott has thanked his coach Dr Klaus Bartonietz, a German biomechanics expert, for the world championships title on Thursday.

Bartonietz is the same man who guided Neeraj Chopra's career through Olympic and world championships glory over the past half a decade.

Having parted ways with Chopra Bartonietz linked up with Walcott and the results have been instantaneous. The Trinidad and Tobago native threw a season-best 88.16m to top the field and claim a worlds gold. It's a success that comes 13 years after he won the Olympic gold medal in London.

"It's been a long 13 years. 2016 has been my last time on the (major international) podium. The World Championships medal has always been out of my reach but thankfully tonight I've gotten it."

He said he could not have done it without Bartonietz,

"I wanna thank my coach for actually trusting me this year and giving me the chance to be able to be coached by him. We made some good changes, and you see it paid off tonight. That was one of my biggest blessings for 2025."

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.”

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.”

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. 

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:

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’."

2,566 days. That’s how long it had been since Neeraj Chopra finished outside top three at any event that he participated in. And that glorious streak – arguably the greatest in elite international sport in an Olympics discipline for India – came to an end in Tokyo on Tuesday. Neeraj finished 8th at the World Athletics Championships final, with a sub-par best throw of 84.03m. It was an all-Americas podium as Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott clinched his first global title with 88.16m, Grenada’s Anderson Peters finished second with a throw of 87.38m to add a silver medal to the golds he won at the 2019 and 2022 world championships and bronze went to Curtis Thompson, who sent his opening throw 86.67m to win a first world championship medal for the United States in the event since Breaux Greer in 2007. This is also the first time in World Championships men’s javelin history that no European has finished in the top 3.

Neeraj Chopra’s return to Tokyo and his defence of the World Championship title may not have gone to plan. But for a former member of his team, it was both: a triumphant return to the Japanese capital and another gold medal at the Worlds.

Dr Klaus Bartonietz, a German biomechanics expert, was in Chopra’s corner when the Indian became the first Indian to win a track-and-field gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. At the same venue on Thursday, another athlete guided by Bartonietz finished at the top of the podium – Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott.

"Neeraj is our biggest athlete; he has given us so many medals. He will come back stronger with a gold medal next time," says Paralympic Committee of India chief and para javelin legend Devendra Jhajharia after Neeraj Chopra ends 8th at Tokyo World Championships.

Neeraj Chopra's career shot into the stratosphere when he won gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. That win started acycle where Chopra was nigh on impossible to keep out of the top 2. In 2025, it's a full circle moment when the Indian star finished 8th in the same place where he became the most famous.

ICYMI, Neeraj Chopra could only manage the 8th spot in the World Championships. He toppled over a couple of times, including on his final throw of the night where he needed a good throw to survive, but ended up crossing the line after falling.

It was a competition where, for a change, Neeraj Chopra was seen uncharacteristically frustrated at himself. At one point, he let out an anguished howl into the Tokyo air, frustrated by the lack of distance his throws were getting.

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."

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."

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:

Tokyo track once again gives a low-score result. Small 88s got Walcott the gold. Either World Championships are always low-ish (non-90) affairs, or the track was slow. And the 70 pc humidity & later showers didn't help. Sachin Yadav hovering around that 85 consistently was commendable, but there was no 90 written in the Tokyo script.

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.

Vinayakk Mohanarangan writes:

So that’s 33 events in a row (not including Qualification rounds at Worlds and Olympics — where the streak holds too) since September 2018 at Continental Cup in Ostrava, where Neeraj Chopra finished in the top 3. One of the great streaks of Indian sport is over.

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:

Vinayakk Mohanarangan writes:

Neeraj Chopra didn’t defend his Budapest 2023 gold medal but his coach from back then Dr Klaus Bartonietz (in the photo below on left shaking hands with javelin legend Jan Zelezny, who now coaches Neeraj Chopra) gets to celebrate another gold! He has been working with Walcott.

A Trinidad & Tobago-Grenada-USA podium in men’s javelin.

This time for America.

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 writes:

With Julian Weber out, the current World leader, World Champion and Olympic champion are eliminated.

And a 32-year-old Keshorn Walcott will have his first World Championships medal, 13 year after he became Olympic Champion at the 2012 London Olympics.

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.

Julian Weber, who had the world leading distance this year, cannot do better than 86.11m, which was his second throw of the night. Here are his distances of the night:

83.63

86.11

X

80.66

81.57

84.67

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!

While Neeraj Chopra's challenge has ended, India still has hopes of a World Championship medal from Sachin Yadav. He came into the event with a personal best of 85.16m. he's raised that bar now to 86.27m.

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.

Neeraj Chopra comes hurtling down the runway to have a final attempt to save himself from being eliminated! But he cannot stave off early elimination as he tumbles and crossed the line.

He gets up looking dejected. And puts his back support belt on his face!

Mihir Vasavda writes: "A cycle that began in Tokyo ends in Tokyo. For the first time since the 2021 Olympics, Neeraj has finished outside the top two in an international tournament. His World Championship title defence ends at 8th place, with a best throw of 84.03m, far below his personal best."

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

Pritish Raj writes: We might be staring at end of an one of the most dominating streak of consistency finishing in top 2 in Javelin Throw.

Neeraj hasn't finished out of top two since June 2021 where he was placed third in the Kourtane Games.

A run of more than four years and 26 events.

He has one more attempt left. Can the double Olympic medallist bring that one big throw?

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.