Neeraj Chopra returns to the Commonwealth Games javelin final in Glasgow, seeking his first gold in eight years after missing Birmingham 2022 through injury. He qualified fifth with a wind-affected 79.61m and now faces a stacked field including Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem and world champion Keshorn Walcott. The final starts 12:45 AM IST on August 1, live on Sony LIV and Sony Sports.
Neeraj Chopra spent Thursday evening standing in the Glasgow cold, watching throw after throw get pushed sideways by a wind nobody could quite read. He was the last of eighteen men to take his turn, and when his javelin finally landed, it measured 79.61 metres, enough to sneak into the final in fifth place, well short of the distances he's capable of on a calmer day. It didn't matter. He was through, and so were the other two Indians in the field. That final now arrives in the early hours of August 1 in India, and it carries more weight than a normal season stop. Here are the details about Neeraj Chopra's Commonwealth Games 2026 javelin final time and more. Notably, his biggest rival will be Arshad Nadeem from Pakistan.
Chopra won Commonwealth gold in 2018, then missed his chance to defend it in Birmingham four years later because of injury, watching Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem take the title in his absence. He's back to try and reclaim it, in a field that also includes the reigning world champion and a rival he's been trading golds and silvers with for the better part of a decade.
It's a stacked night of Indian athletics, in other words, headlined by a man trying to settle some old scores. Check out when to tune in, where to watch, and exactly who Chopra needs to beat, below.
The javelin final goes off at Scotstoun Stadium on July 31 in Glasgow. You can watch Neeraj Chopra at 12:45 AM IST on the night of August 1 India time. Chopra booked his place there on Thursday with that fifth-place throw of 79.61m, after admitting later that the wind left him almost no margin for error.
The final streams live on the Sony LIV app and website, and it's also on television across Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3 for Hindi commentary, and Sony Sports Ten 4 for Tamil, Telugu and Kannada. Doordarshan Sports is carrying select events from these Games too.
Neeraj Chopra (India): India's biggest medal hope as he chases his first Commonwealth Games gold in eight years.
Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan): The reigning Olympic champion and defending Commonwealth Games champion, making him one of Chopra's toughest rivals.
Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago): The reigning world champion, having won the world title in Tokyo last year.
Anderson Peters (Grenada): Two-time world champion and one of the most consistent throwers in international athletics.
Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka): Finished on top in the qualification round and enters the final in impressive form.
Douw Smit (South Africa): Crossed the 80-metre mark in qualifying and looks capable of challenging for the podium.
Ben East (England): Another 80m-plus thrower in qualification, making him a strong contender for a medal.
The 12 who made it through: Yash Vir Singh (India), Ben East (England), Cameron McEntyre (Australia), Neeraj Chopra (India), Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan), Chinecherem Nnamdi (Nigeria), Anderson Peters (Grenada), Keyshawn Strachan (Bahamas), Rohit Yadav (India), Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka), Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago) and Douw Smit (South Africa). More than half this field has crossed 85 metres before. Will Neeraj Chopra win the Commonwealth Games 2026 javelin final and grab a gold medal for India? The stakes are high. That's what makes it worth losing sleep over.
When is Neeraj Chopra's Commonwealth Games 2026 javelin throw final?
Neeraj Chopra will compete in the men's javelin throw final at 12:45 AM IST on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
Where can I watch Neeraj Chopra's javelin final live in India?
The event will be streamed live on the Sony LIV app and website and telecast on Sony Sports Ten 2, Sony Sports Ten 3 (Hindi), and Sony Sports Ten 4 (Tamil, Telugu & Kannada).
Who are Neeraj Chopra's biggest rivals in the Commonwealth Games 2026 final?
His main challengers include Arshad Nadeem (Pakistan), Anderson Peters (Grenada), Keshorn Walcott (Trinidad and Tobago), Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage (Sri Lanka), Douw Smit (South Africa), and Ben East (England).
How many Indian athletes are competing in the Commonwealth Games 2026 men's javelin final?
Three Indians have qualified for the final: Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh.