In a disappointing turn of events, Neeraj Chopra, India’s celebrated javelin thrower, finished eighth in the men’s javelin event at the World Athletics Championships held in Tokyo on September 18, 2025. Competing at the National Stadium, the same venue where he secured India’s first Olympic athletics gold in 2021, Chopra managed a best throw of 84.03 meters, falling short of his qualifying mark from the previous day. This performance marked a stark contrast to his usual dominance in the sport.
Chopra revealed that he had been secretly battling a back injury for weeks, which significantly impacted his performance. ‘I don’t understand what happened today. This has not happened for a long time. I had some problems before coming to Tokyo,’ he admitted. The injury, sustained on September 4, forced him to undergo an MRI scan, and he acknowledged that he was not at full fitness. ‘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 good shape, you’re out,’ he added.
Despite the setback, Chopra remained optimistic about his future in the sport. ‘Normally it doesn’t happen with me because for a long time, I was always in the top two positions. After a long time, I’m not in the position, but it’s okay. I will learn from today and try to stay healthy and focus on my technique,’ he said. He also emphasized the need for more training and technical improvements to regain his form.
Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott clinched his first global title since his teenage Olympic triumph in 2012, with a throw of 88.16 meters. Grenada’s Anderson Peters and American Curtis Thompson completed the podium, securing second and third places, respectively.
Chopra’s performance serves as a reminder of the physical and mental challenges athletes face, even at the highest levels of competition. His resilience and determination to bounce back from this setback will be closely watched by fans and analysts alike.