There is a pattern to how Neeraj Chopra operates at marquee international competitions. Whether it’s the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, Asian Games or the Diamond League, one can clearly see that Neeraj likes to set the pace right at the start. He gets a massive, 86-87m-plus throw in his first two attempts. The rest of the pack then chases him.
It was 87.58m in his second attempt at the Tokyo Olympics that fetched him the historic gold. After Neeraj’s humongous throw, big names like Johannes Vetter, Julian Weber and Keshorn Walcott were visibly under pressure and floundered.
At the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Neeraj’s route to the javelin throw final was similar. He came up with a big 88.77m throw in his first attempt in the qualification round. The throw ensured his qualification for the final and also secured a 2024 Paris Olympics berth. The qualification mark for the Olympics is 85.50m.
The star Indian athlete had won silver at the 2022 World Athletics Championships in Eugene, USA, and will strive to change the colour of his medal this time.
“I try to hit my straps as soon as possible. From the fourth throw onwards, the pressure increases and as a result chances of faltering also goes up. I try to minimize that (pressure) on myself,” Neeraj had once told TOI.

Only Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem came close to Neeraj in the qualification with a throw of 86.79m to make the final.
Although quite a few big names have qualified for the final, Neeraj’s main challenger for the gold medal will be Nadeem. The 26-year-old from Mian Channu, a quaint town on the Grand Trunk Road some 250km from Lahore, has been making the headlines since the Tokyo Olympics. Especially, whenever Neeraj competes along with him.
The India-Pakistan rivalry becomes the talk of the town. It’s not just an India-Pak rivalry that has made people stand up and notice Nadeem. The 6 feet 2-inch Pakistani has a better ‘PB’ (personal best) than Neeraj. He crossed the coveted 90m-mark which Neeraj has not been able to yet. It was at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in 2022 that Nadeem came up with a massive throw of 90.18m to land the gold medal.
Neeraj, however, missed the 2022 CWG due to a groin injury. Neeraj’s PB is 89.94m. Nadeem, who is coming back after a yearlong absence due to a knee injury he suffered at the 2022 CWG, wished Neeraj luck a day before the Worlds final:
“Best of luck Neeraj bhai. Aap bhi achcha karein, hum bhi achcha karein. Aapka naam hai world me, hamara bhi naam aaye (Neeraj brother, you also do well, and I will also do well. You have made your name in the world, I hope I also get noticed).”

Nadeem can very well pull off an upset on the day if he gives a little extra. Most of the time, it seems, the burly Nadeem has more gas left in his tank but just doesn’t put his foot firmly on the accelerator. It may be his style, but on Sunday he’ll be required to push himself further to get the better of Neeraj.
Besides Nadeem, Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch, who won silver behind Neeraj at the Tokyo Games, will once again be a gold-medal contender.
Vadlejch’s personal best of 90.88m is the best among the 12 throwers competing in the final. The Czech is also the world No. 1 in the rankings and has the season’s best of 89.51m to his credit. World No. 2 Julian Weber of Germany, whose PB is 89.54m and season’s best is 88.72m, will also be a title contender.

In a historic first, three Indians will be in action in the javelin throw final. Other than Neeraj, DP Manu (qualifying throw: 81.31m) and Kishore Jena (qualifying throw: 80.55m) will also vie for a medal on Sunday.