In perhaps the most exciting javelin final in history, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott stole the show. He won the gold medal with a world-leading throw of 88.16 meters. It was an amazing showcase of the talent we have in Budapest. Sadly, Neeraj Chopra came in eighth and Arshad Nadeem tenth.
Walcott’s win was an extraordinary upset. He has now been boosted a world championship gold to his dazzling collection, which boasts a gold medal from the 2012 London Olympics and a bronze from the 2016 Rio Olympics. Anderson Peters from Grenada took the silver medal with a throw of 87.38 meters, enhancing his reputation as a leading competitor in the sport. American Curtis Thompson earned a bronze medal with a throw of an astonishing 86.67 meters. This triumph is the U.S.’s first world championship medal in this discipline since 2007.
Neeraj Chopra, the reigning Olympic champion, proved his fine form this season to reach a personal best of 90.23 meters. He still had an uphill battle to claim the final. His top performance topped out at 84.03 meters, good enough for eighth place. Meanwhile, Arshad Nadeem had a disappointing performance, finishing tenth with a best throw of 82.75 meters. During the course of the competition, Nadeem’s difficulties shone through, unable to perform as he had done in the past.
Sachin Yadav, from India, was electric on the sticks, throwing a PB of 86.27 meters. That remarkable accomplishment propelled him to an impressive fourth place finish. Julian Weber of Germany was fifth with a long throw of 86.11 meters. Rumesh Pathirage finished seventh in the competition.
Kenyan world record holder Julius Yego saw his hope of winning gold all but end when he turned his ankle on his third throw. Sadly, this same injury meant he could not complete the competition.
