It seems like there will be no Neeraj Chopra vs Arshad Nadeem in the Silesia Diamond League 2025, as both stars are missing from the official list for the event which is set to take place on August 16. Neeraj and Nadeem were set to lock horns for the first time after going face-to-face during the Paris Olympics 2024. It was Nadeem who had won gold on the day with Neeraj taking home the silver medal.
The organisers of the Silesia Diamond League had announced in July that both men will face against each other during the event. However, doubts had started to emerge when Nadeem underwent surgery on his calf in London last month. The Pakistan javelin ace’s coach would then say it was unlikely the Paris Olympics gold medallist would compete in the Diamond League event.
“He (Nadeem) is more focused on preparing for the World Championships in Tokyo in September, which is why he decided to have the surgery on his calf muscle, which had been bothering him for a while now,” coach Salman Butt said.
The start list for the Silesia Diamond League has now shown that both men won’t be a part of the event. The reason for Neeraj pulling out is unknown and now fans will have to wait till the World Championships to see both rivals go at it.
Silesia Diamond League 2025: Men’s javelin start list
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Roderick Genki Dean (Japan)
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Andrian Mardare (Moldova)
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Cyprian Mrzyglod (Poland)
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Anderson Peters (Grenada)
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Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad & Tobago)
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Julian Weber (Germany)
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Julius Yego (Kenya)
Neeraj’s 2025 so far
Neeraj has been in fine form this season and is currently tied at the top of the Diamond League men’s javelin standings with Julian Weber of Germany. Both men have 15 points each. This year, the Indian ace was able to finally break the 90-metre jinx and proceeded to grab wins at the Paris Diamond League, the Ostrova Golden Spike and the inaugural NC Classic in Bengaluru.
He also secured second-place finishes at the Doha Diamond League, where he registered a throw of 90.23 m, and at the Kusocinski Memorial in Poland.
– Ends
