The lights at Tokyo&rsquo;s National Stadium once crowned him Olympic champion, but this time they bore witness to Neeraj Chopra&rsquo;s rare stumble. The 27-year-old Indian javelin ace bowed out of the World Athletics Championships 2025 with an eighth-place finish, ending a four-year streak of podium finishes that had made him one of the most consistent athletes in the sport.
Chopra, who entered the final as defending champion, never quite found his rhythm. His best throw of the night, 84.03m, came early but was never enough to challenge the leaders. Each successive attempt reflected his frustration, culminating in a foul on his fifth throw that extinguished any remaining hope of a comeback.
Since June 2021, Chopra had not finished outside the top two in 26 consecutive competitions, a run that spanned four seasons and established him as the sport&rsquo;s ultimate big-match performer. But on Wednesday night, that streak ended where his legend began in Tokyo.
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Yadav Shines, Walcott Triumphs
Ironically, Chopra wasn&rsquo;t even India&rsquo;s top finisher on the night. Rising star Sachin Yadav opened with a superb 86.27m throw, narrowly missing out on a podium finish and settling for fourth. His performance offered India a silver lining on a night when its most celebrated athlete faltered.
The gold went to Keshorn Walcott of Trinidad and Tobago, who produced an 88.16m throw on his fourth attempt to claim his first-ever World Championships medal, 13 years after his Olympic triumph in London. Two-time world champion Anderson Peters of Grenada took silver with 87.38m, while USA&rsquo;s Curtis Thompson clinched bronze with 86.67m.
End of an Era, Start of the Other?
Chopra showed no visible signs of injury, but his inability to cross the 85m mark across six throws highlighted a rare off day for the Olympic champion. For the Indian fans in the stands, it was a reminder of the fine margins in elite sport.
As he walked off the field, the disappointment was evident. Yet, with his track record of bouncing back stronger, few will bet against Neeraj Chopra rewriting history again. And with Sachin Yadav&rsquo;s breakthrough performance, India&rsquo;s javelin future appears brighter than ever.

Neeraj’s 4-Year Javelin Streak Ends in Tokyo

Walcott wins gold; Neeraj Chopra finishes 8th, Sachin Yadav impresses with 4th place

Neeraj’s 4-Year Javelin Streak Ends in Tokyo

Walcott wins gold; Neeraj Chopra finishes 8th, Sachin Yadav impresses with 4th place

September 18, 2025 | 18:35 IST