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| Walcott Strikes Gold |
Tokyo, Japan – September 18, 2025:
The men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo brought mixed emotions as Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott secured a historic gold medal, while South Asian stars Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem failed to live up to expectations.
Walcott’s Golden Comeback
Walcott, the 2012 Olympic champion, reclaimed global glory after more than a decade. The 32-year-old delivered an outstanding throw of 88.16m, topping the leaderboard on a rainy and windy night at Japan’s National Stadium. His performance included the two longest throws of the evening, earning him his first-ever World Championship medal, to go alongside his Olympic gold (2012) and bronze (2016).
Strong Showing From the Caribbean and USA
The Caribbean region celebrated a memorable night as Grenada’s Anderson Peters claimed silver with a throw of 87.38m, adding to his two previous world titles (2019 and 2022). Meanwhile, Curtis Thompson of the USA won bronze with a mark of 86.67m, becoming the first American to medal in the men’s javelin at a World Championships since 2007.
South Asian Disappointment: Chopra and Nadeem Struggle
India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who was aiming to repeat his Tokyo 2021 heroics, struggled to find rhythm. His best attempt of 84.03m was well below his season’s peak of 90.23m, leaving him in eighth place.
Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, recovering from injuries throughout the season, also endured a difficult evening. His best throw of 82.75m secured only tenth position, far from his Olympic-winning form in Paris 2024.
Rising Star Sachin Yadav Shines for India
While Chopra faltered, Sachin Yadav impressed with a personal best throw of 86.27m, finishing fourth overall and restoring pride for India. He narrowly missed the podium but marked himself as a new name to watch in global javelin.
Other Highlights
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Germany’s Julian Weber, a strong pre-event contender, finished fifth with 86.11m, failing to replicate his 91.51m Diamond League record throw from Zurich last month.
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Kenya’s veteran Julius Yego, world champion in 2015, was forced to withdraw after injuring his ankle on his third attempt.
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Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan athlete—male or female—to reach a World Championships javelin final, finishing a respectable seventh.
Key Takeaway
The Tokyo javelin final highlighted the shift in global javelin dominance, with the Caribbean and North America celebrating rare successes, while Asia’s biggest names—Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem—struggled on the big stage. Keshorn Walcott’s victory not only reaffirmed his class but also marked a powerful comeback in the twilight of his career.