The result ended one of the most dominating streaks in athletics. This is the first time he has finished outside the top two in an event since his third-place finish at the Kourtane Games in 2021. The run spanned four years and 26 consecutive competitions.

Neeraj Chopra’s special message to Sachin Yadav

Taking to X on Friday, Neeraj expressed his disappointment and revealed that it wasn’t how he had ‘hoped to end the season’.

“It’s not how I had hoped to end the season, at the World Championships in Tokyo. I wanted to step out there and give my best for India despite all the challenges but it wasn’t my night”, he wrote.

He also had a message for Sachin Yadav, debutant and fellow countryman, who came fourth and for a short period was in the top-three too. “I’m really happy for Sachin, who threw a personal best and almost brought home a medal. Congratulations to @keshorn_walcott, @peters_oly and @Curt_Thompson_ on their well-deserved podium places,” he said, congratulating his countryman.

Finally in a message to his fans, he added, “Grateful for all your support, this only makes me determined to come back stronger.”

Sachin’s sensational first-attempt throw of 86.27m was also his personal best, and saw him claim the fourth-placed spot. Meanwhile, Trinidad and Tobago’s Keshorn Walcott clinched gold, with a best throw of 88.16m. Grenada’s Anderson Peters, who is also a two-time World Champion, came second with a best throw of 87.38m and USA’s Curtis Thompson (86.67m) came third.