- Neeraj Chopra qualified for the CWG 2026 men's javelin final with ease.
- Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem also booked his place in the final.
- The arch-rivals will face each other in the medal event as both chase gold.
India's Neeraj Chopra and Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem are set for another blockbuster showdown after both athletes qualified for the men's javelin throw final at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. Competing in difficult windy conditions at the Scotstoun Stadium, the two star throwers safely progressed to the medal round, setting up one of the most anticipated contests of the Games.
Neeraj qualified in fifth place with a best throw of 79.61 metres, while reigning Commonwealth champion Arshad Nadeem finished seventh in the qualification standings. With both stars advancing to the final, fans can now look forward to another chapter in one of athletics' biggest rivalries.
Neeraj Chopra Qualifies Despite Challenging Conditions
Neeraj Chopra produced a best effort of 79.61m on his second attempt in the qualification round. With the automatic qualification safely secured, the Indian ace skipped his third throw to conserve energy for the medal event.
The Olympic champion looked composed despite the strong winds affecting conditions at the Scotstoun Stadium and advanced comfortably to the 12-man final.
India enjoyed an excellent qualification campaign as Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh also booked their places in the final, giving the country three representatives in the medal event.
"The conditions were not the best for javelin throwers. It was not only cold but also windy. And the wind was coming from all directions ... it was really hard to assess which side it will come from. And lots of throwers were struggling today, no automatic qualification," Chopra told reporters after the event.
"The conditions were not the best for javelin throwers. It was not only cold but also windy. And the wind was coming from all directions ... it was really hard to assess which side it would come from. And lots of throwers were struggling today, no automatic qualification," Chopra told reporters after the event.
Arshad Nadeem Also Books Place in Final
Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the defending Commonwealth Games champion, also progressed to the final after finishing seventh in the qualification round.
Like Chopra, Nadeem navigated the difficult conditions without trouble and ensured that the much-awaited India-Pakistan battle for the Commonwealth title will once again take centre stage.
Neeraj Leads Nadeem in Qualification
While the qualification round was only about securing a place in the final, Neeraj Chopra finished ahead of Arshad Nadeem in the standings.
The Indian thrower's 79.61m effort placed him fifth overall, while Nadeem advanced in seventh position, giving Chopra a slight edge heading into the medal-deciding contest.
However, both athletes are expected to produce significantly bigger throws in the final, where medals will be at stake. The rivalry will intensify with both athletes looking to grab a Gold Medal.
When Will Neeraj Chopra and Arshad Nadeem Face Each Other?
The men's javelin throw final will be held at Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow.
Schedule
Date (India): Saturday, August 1, 2026
Time (IST): 12:45 AM
Venue: Scotstoun Stadium, Glasgow, Scotland
The final is expected to be one of the headline events of the athletics programme, with Neeraj aiming to reclaim the Commonwealth Games title he won in 2018, while Arshad will look to defend the gold medal he claimed at Birmingham 2022.
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Where to Watch the Javelin Throw Final Live in India
Indian fans can catch the action live through the following platforms:
Live Streaming: Sony LIV
TV Broadcast: Sony Sports Ten 2 HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi), and DD Sports
With three Indian throwers in the final and the latest chapter of the Neeraj Chopra-Arshad Nadeem rivalry set to unfold, the men's javelin throw promises to be one of the biggest highlights of the Commonwealth Games 2026.