Indian javelin ace Neeraj Chopra will begin his campaign at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo today as he steps into the qualification round of the men’s javelin throw. Competing in Group A, Chopra will line up against a strong field that includes Germany’s Diamond League champion Julian Weber, 2012 Olympic gold medallist Keshorn Walcott, Czech veteran Jakub Vadlejch, and fellow Indian thrower Sachin Yadav. The event is scheduled to begin at 3:40 PM IST.
Group B will feature another set of high-profile names, led by Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, Grenada’s two-time world champion Anderson Peters, 2015 world champion Julius Yego of Kenya, Brazil’s Luiz da Silva, India’s Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh, along with Sri Lanka’s emerging talent Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.
Chopra enters the championships eyeing his third medal at this stage. He made history in 2023 by becoming the first Indian to win gold at the World Championships. He followed it with a silver medal in Paris last year, having also won silver at the 2022 edition in the USA. A successful qualification today will put him on course to continue his medal streak.
A total of 37 athletes will compete across the two groups, with only 12 advancing to the final, which is scheduled for tomorrow. The automatic qualification mark has been set at 84.50 metres. Chopra, known for his consistency in surpassing the 85m mark in major events, will look to clear the bar comfortably and conserve his best for the final.
Meanwhile, in the women’s javelin throw, India’s challenge will be led by Asian Games gold medallist Annu Rani. The women’s qualification rounds will take place on Friday, with Group A starting at 4:00 PM IST and Group B at 5:30 PM IST. The women’s final will be held on Saturday at 5:35 PM IST.
With Chopra spearheading India’s medal hopes and a strong contingent in both the men’s and women’s events, Indian athletics will be under the global spotlight once again in Tokyo.
