World Championship javelin qualifiers: Arshad Nadeem among top favourites

The World Athletics Championship javelin throw qualifying round will take place today, featuring a total of 37 athletes divided into two groups.

Group A will host 19 throwers, while Group B will feature 18. South Asia will see its largest-ever representation, with seven throwers in action.

Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem has been declared a strong favourite for the competition. The qualifiers will showcase eight throwers who have already crossed the 90-metre mark.

Among them are Grenada’s Anderson Peters (93.07 m), Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem (92.97 m), the Czech Republic’s Julian Pengo (92.72 m), Germany’s Julian Weber (91.51 m), Brazil’s Luis Maurício da Silva (91 m), Germany’s Jakob Vadlejch (90.88 m), and India’s Neeraj Chopra (90.23 m).

From South Asia, Arshad Nadeem, Neeraj Chopra, Sameedha Rana Singhe, Ramesh Tharanga, Rohit Yadav, and Pushveer Singh will be competing. Chopra is placed in Group A, while Nadeem has been assigned to Group B.

According to event rules, any athlete throwing 84.50 metres or more will directly qualify for the final. In total, 12 athletes will secure their spots for the final showdown.

The Group A competition will begin at 3:10 PM Pakistan Standard Time, while Group B will follow at 4:45 PM.

Ahead of the contest, Arshad Nadeem appealed to the nation for prayers for his success.

Reporter: Hafiz Shahbaz Ali