“Neeraj Chopra’s composed brilliance secures him a world final berth.”

Neeraj Chopra enters the javelin final at the World Athletics Championships 2025 chasing a third consecutive medal and with the aim of retaining his crown. While Paris redemption, Arshad Nadeem rivalry and retaining his crown adds to the pressure of the final, Neeraj remains quietly confident of a good showing in Tokyo on Thursday, September 18.

Everyone wants a word – a quote, a byte, a shot. Chopra is not in a hurry. Even if he is, he doesn’t show it. He radiates openness, a willingness to give time, however brief that might be. Media persons, Germans, British, Norwegians, Jamaicans, approach knowing he will smile back, answer, make you feel important. The rest, a majority, do it. But rarely, after a qualifying contest. Chopra has walked into his third consecutive World Championship final. All it took was one throw. It’s no privilege to be done in one or three. The important bit is to be in the 12 for the final.