World Athletics Championships: Sachin Yadav expresses disappointment after losing a medal at mega event

Sachin Yadav (Pic: File Pic)

In the World Athletics Championships, India's javelin thrower Sachin Yadav, who outperformed the likes of Neeraj Chopra and Julian Weber on his debut, expressed disappointment after losing out on a medal at the marquee event.

"I was competing against the world's best and naturally your performance gets better. But I could not improve my first throw in next five attempts despite trying my best. So, I feel I let slip a World Championships medal," he said.

The Indian athelete also stated that he was confident of clinching a medal at the Worlds after his first throw.

"The opening throw went very well. Weather conditions were good, my body was in great shape and execution was near perfect. The moment I saw my javelin land, I thought I can win a medal. I was confident I would pull off at least one throw of 87m," said Yadav.

His second attempt ended in a foul, followed by the remaining throws which landed on a distance of 85.71m, 84.90m, 85.96m and 80.95m.

Yadav also expressed disappointment for defending champion Neeraj Chopra, who displayed an underwhelming performance due to back pain.

"Me and Neeraj bhai kept talking during the final. After my first throw, he told me we should get two medals. I knew he was dealing with a back problem but he must be hoping that he would pull off a good throw somehow," said the Uttar Pradesh-born athlete.

"I was trying to better my first round throw but at the same time I felt sad for Neeraj bhai. It was the first time he was not on podium (since Tokyo Olympics in 2021). In any case, our country was to win a medal. That also did not happen, so I felt bad," he added.

Yadav also revealed that his mother did not recognise journalists who had visited their house. She told the athlete that a few men entered their home and took photographs.

"I have spoken to my mother. My parents are happy but they don't think much about all this, World Championships and winning medals etc. They just wanted me to get a government job," he said.

"They have never even seen the media. They have not seen anything. So for the first time it happened that the media went to my home and took a photo. My mother told me that some people came to our house and took photographs," said the 2025 Gumi Asian Championships silver medallist.

(With PTI Inputs)