Neeraj Chopra, Arshad Nadeem Pull Out of Silesia Diamond League; Fans Miss Anticipated India–Pakistan Showdown
Athletics fans were left disappointed after double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and Paris Olympics gold medallist Arshad Nadeem withdrew from the upcoming Silesia Diamond League, cancelling what was expected to be a high-voltage India–Pakistan clash.
The event, scheduled for Saturday, August 16 in Silesia, Poland, was set to bring the two javelin giants head-to-head once again. However, Nadeem is out after undergoing surgery on his right calf in July, with his coach confirming his unavailability. The reason behind Neeraj’s withdrawal has not been disclosed yet.
At the Paris Olympics, Nadeem clinched gold with a massive throw of 92.97m, edging past Neeraj, who took silver with 89.45m.
Neeraj began his 2025 season on a strong note, winning the Potch Invitational in South Africa this April. He then created history at the Doha Diamond League with his first-ever throw beyond 90 metres, clocking 90.23m for a second-place finish. He followed it up with another runner-up spot at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland and later triumphed at the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru.
Nadeem, who was initially expected to compete at the Bengaluru meet, missed out after rising border tensions between India and Pakistan in May led to his invitation being withheld.
Both athletes are now focusing on the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from September 13 to 21, where Neeraj will defend his World Champion title, earned in 2023 with an 88.17m throw. Neeraj may also feature in the Brussels Diamond League on August 22.
Meanwhile, Nadeem, Pakistan’s first-ever track-and-field Olympic gold medallist, has voiced frustration over unfulfilled promises from his government, including land allocations announced after his historic Paris win.
