Pakistan’s top javelin star Arshad Nadeem takes on India’s Olympic hero Neeraj Chopra today. They meet in the qualification round at the World Athletics Championship. The event kicks off at 4:45 pm Pakistan time. Many elite athletes join the fray too.
Fans have waited months for this rematch. Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra share a fierce rivalry. Supporters from both nations watch every move closely. This India-Pakistan rivalry adds extra thrill to their contests.
Germany’s Julian Weber enters the mix. He ranks high in javelin. His presence boosts the event’s excitement.
Before the big day, Arshad Nadeem spoke to fans. He asked them to pray for him. People in Pakistan rally behind him with huge support. They cheer as he gears up for this key battle.
The javelin final comes tomorrow, on September 18. Today’s qualifiers decide who moves on. Only the best advance to that stage.
This marks their first duel since May’s brief India-Pakistan rivalry flare-up. Back then, tensions rose fast between the neighbors. Their athletic face-offs now symbolize more than sports. They draw global eyes and become huge draws.
Yet, this rivalry feels odd right now. Just days ago, India and Pakistan clashed in the Asia Cup 2025 cricket match. That game sparked a big handshake controversy. Indian players skipped the post-match greetings. They cited solidarity with victims of the April Pahalgam terror attack. That led to May’s military tensions, with missile strikes and a quick ceasefire.
Indian media and politicians slammed the cricket tie. They argued India should skip matches against Pakistan. Voices called it unwise amid the fresh rivalry strains. The BCCI and government aligned on playing but drew the line at handshakes. Pakistan protested, calling it unsportsmanlike. Their captain even boycotted the ceremony.
Now, look at this. An Indian athlete competes head-on with a Pakistani one. Neeraj Chopra throws against Arshad Nadeem in full view. No boycotts here. The World Athletics Championship rolls on without such drama. Why the flip? Cricket’s team nature amps up national pride and politics. It mirrors border issues directly. Athletics stays more individual. Stars like these focus on personal glory over flags. But the rivalry undertones linger.
This contrast shows sports’ double standards in India-Pakistan rivalry. Cricket grips billions and stirs old wounds. Javelin draws fans but skips the same heat. Arshad Nadeem’s prayers and Neeraj Chopra’s throws highlight pure talent amid the noise. Their bout today could ease some rivalry edges. Or it might fuel more talk. Either way, it’s must-see action.