Neeraj Chopra Becomes World No. 1 in Javelin Throw, Leaves Behind Anderson Peters as Arshad Nadeem Slips to Fourth

India’s golden boy Neeraj Chopra has reclaimed his crown as the world number 1 javelin thrower, marking a proud moment for Indian athletics. Surpassing Anderson Peters of Grenada, Neeraj now tops the global rankings with 1445 points, while Peters follows at 1431. Germany’s Julian Weber holds the third position with 1407 points, and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem has slipped to fourth with 1370 points.

A Stunning Comeback to the Top

Neeraj had lost his No. 1 ranking after the Paris Olympics on 17 September 2024, but his consistent top-tier performances have powered his return to the top. The two-time Olympic medalist kicked off the 2025 season with a victory in Potchefstroom, South Africa, and made headlines again in the Doha Diamond League, throwing 90.23 meters to set a new national record—and entering the elite 90-meter club.

Although he finished second in Doha, he continued his strong form by winning silver in Poland’s Janusz Kusocinski Memorial, which added crucial points to his tally.

Rivalry with Anderson Peters

Neeraj Chopra’s last defeat to Anderson Peters came in 2022, when Peters won gold with a throw of 89.91 meters, while Neeraj settled for silver at 88.39 meters. Since that match, Neeraj has outperformed Peters in every head-to-head clash, bringing their record to 6–5 in Neeraj’s favor.

What’s Next: India to Host International Javelin Event

Indian fans won’t have to wait long to watch Neeraj in action again. The Neeraj Chopra Classic International Javelin Throw Competition will be held in Bengaluru from 5 July. This is the first international-level javelin tournament hosted in India, and it has been officially approved by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Neeraj, along with four other top Indian javelin throwers, will compete against some of the best athletes from around the world in what promises to be a landmark event for Indian athletics.