Explained: Why the Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem clash will not happen at Silesia Diamond League

Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem. (AFP Photo)

Paris Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem’s non-participation in the upcoming Silesia Diamond League was on the cards, as the Pakistani javelin thrower is recuperating from calf surgery.

India’s star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has also withdrawn from the 2025 Silesia Diamond League, slated for August 16, while Nadeem’s name is absent from the men’s javelin throw entry list released by the organisers of the Polish meet.

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The competition was anticipated to be the first meeting between the two arch-rivals since their electrifying showdown at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where Nadeem clinched gold and Chopra took silver. Event organisers had teased the possibility of the face-off in early July.

However, Nadeem’s appearance became doubtful after he underwent surgery on his right calf in London last month. His coach confirmed that he would not be fit in time for the event, and his omission from the official list came as no surprise.

In an unexpected turn, Chopra too has opted out of the competition. The reason behind his withdrawal remains undisclosed.

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Chopra has enjoyed an impressive 2025 season so far. He began with a win at the Potch Invitational in South Africa, followed by a runner-up finish at the Doha Diamond League, where he smashed the 90-metre mark with a sensational 90.23m throw — setting a new national record.

He secured another second-place finish at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland, before bouncing back with a victory at the Paris Diamond League. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic champion then added back-to-back titles at the Ostrava Golden Spike in Czechia and the NC Classic in India to his season’s tally.

Both Chopra and Nadeem are now focusing on the World Athletics Championships 2025, set to be held in Tokyo, Japan, next month. At the previous edition in Budapest, Neeraj struck gold ahead of his Pakistani counterpart.

Before the World Championships, the Lausanne Diamond League on August 20 will serve as the final major event for men’s javelin throw. Initially, both Chopra and Nadeem were expected to compete there as well.