Neeraj Chopra's Struggles at the 2025 World Athletics Championships
Neeraj Chopra's Performance in Tokyo
World Athletics Championship 2025 Final: It was a challenging evening for Neeraj Chopra in Tokyo, where the Olympic gold medalist and reigning world champion secured 8th place in the men's javelin final. With a maximum throw of 84.03 meters, Neeraj fell short of his usual performance level and openly discussed the reasons behind it.
“I have always tried to avoid making excuses. The truth is that I couldn’t train effectively due to back pain,” Neeraj stated honestly. This candid admission highlighted the physical challenges that elite athletes often face, even those at the pinnacle of their sport.
This season had high expectations, especially after Neeraj finally surpassed the 90-meter mark, a goal he had pursued for years. However, the consistency that characterized his previous performances seemed elusive, with back pain proving to be a significant obstacle.
🗣️ "I have always tried to avoid making excuses. The truth is that I couldn’t train effectively due to back pain," said Neeraj Chopra after finishing 8th in the Men’s Javelin Final at the #WorldAthleticsChampionships.
— nnis Sports (@nnis_sports) September 18, 2025
Neeraj finished 8th in the final with a… pic.twitter.com/UmZNrHDKwe
Keshorn Walcott Takes Gold
While it was a disappointing night for Neeraj, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott shone brightly, clinching gold with a season-best throw of 88.16 meters. This victory marked a remarkable comeback for the 2012 Olympic champion. Anderson Peters from Grenada secured the silver medal with a throw of 87.38 meters, while Curtis Thompson from the USA took home the bronze with 86.67 meters.
Sachin Yadav's Near-Miss
India’s Sachin Yadav also made headlines, finishing just outside the medal standings in 4th place. The 23-year-old achieved a personal best of 86.27 meters, falling short of bronze by a mere 40 centimeters. His performance indicates a promising future for Indian javelin.
Although this was not the conclusion Neeraj envisioned, his transparency and determination serve as a reminder of why he is held in high regard among Indian athletes. Despite the setbacks this season, with proper recovery, he is far from finished.