Neeraj Chopra Breaching 90m Inspiring For Indian Javelin, Being Compared To Arshad Nadeem Motivating: Sachin Yadav

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New Delhi, May 23: Rising javelin thrower Sachin Yadav is all set to participate in his first international tournament in the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in South Korea.

The determined 25-year-old from Khekra village near Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, Sachin Yadav, once a late bloomer in the sport, is now being heralded as India's next big hope in men's javelin throw after Neeraj Chopra.

Set to make his international debut at the continental showpiece in Gumi, South Korea (May 27-31), Sachin is embracing the moment with humility and hunger. "I'm not thinking about the conditions or the competitors. Those things are beyond my control. What I can control is giving my best on the day. If I do that, I believe I can make it to the podium," he said in a candid chat with myKhel before departing for Korea.

Comparisons to Nadeem, Inspired by Chopra

A figure of imposing build, Sachin - who stands tall at six feet five inches - is often compared to Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the reigning Olympic champion and one of the stars of Asian javelin. "It feels good to be compared with someone like Arshad Nadeem. But I have to prove myself at the international level. Still, it's a motivating factor," Sachin acknowledged.

And if Nadeem offers motivation by comparison, Neeraj Chopra continues to serve as a beacon of what's possible. Speaking on Chopra's record-breaking 90.23m throw at the Doha Diamond League, Sachin was visibly inspired: "What Neeraj bhai did was not just a personal milestone - it's a moment of pride for all Indian javelin throwers. It tells us that we too can dream big."

Missing the NC Classic, Eyeing World Championship Qualification

While the young thrower is excited about his debut in Korea, he couldn't hide his disappointment over the postponement of the inaugural NC Classic, initially slated for May 24 in Bengaluru. The event - expected to feature Chopra and other elite throwers - was postponed due to military tensions between India and Pakistan.

"I was really looking forward to the NC Classic. It had a world-class field. Competing alongside the best always pushes you to perform better. I was aiming to qualify for the World Championships there," he said. Now, the Asian Championships will be his final shot at qualification.

Only Neeraj Chopra has secured his berth for the Tokyo Worlds so far. Sachin's eyes are firmly set on joining him: "If I had competed at the NC Classic before heading to Korea, it would have been easier. But now the Asian Championships are my best bet. That's where I have to deliver."

From Khekra to Korea: A Dream in Motion

From a modest farming background in Khekra to donning the national jersey, Sachin Yadav's rise is the latest chapter in India's growing javelin legacy. With his towering frame, work ethic, and mental composure, he has all the attributes to become a force on the international stage.

A Journey Sparked by Encouragement

Yadav's tryst with javelin almost ended before it truly began. After securing a job with the Uttar Pradesh Police in 2023, he had nearly shelved his sporting dreams. But fate had other plans. A nudge from his neighbour and fellow UP Police colleague Sandeep Yadav, who urged him to not give up, proved decisive.

"He asked me to take it seriously and helped me connect with coach Naval Singh (whom he addresses as Guruji) at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium's National Centre of Excellence in Delhi," Sachin recalled.

The move turned around his career. Under Naval Singh's guidance, Sachin clinched gold medals at the Uttarakhand National Games and the Federation Cup in Kochi and clocked a personal best of 84.39m - a distance just shy of the 85.50m mark needed to automatically qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.