Our Bureau
Bengaluru
Indian athletics witnessed a historic leap as the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, the nation’s first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Level event, will be held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. The event, named after India’s double Olympic medallist and reigning world champion, marks a watershed moment for the sport, bringing together a star-studded international field and shining a global spotlight on Indian javelin.
Twelve elite javelin throwers, including Olympic and world medallists such as Thomas Röhler (Germany) and Julius Yego (Kenya), joined Chopra and a strong Indian contingent in a competition that promises to inspire a new generation of athletes. The meet’s Gold status, sanctioned by World Athletics, places it among the top tier of global track and field competitions, a first for India.
Chopra, who recently breached the 90m barrier with a national record throw at the Doha Diamond League, described the event as “the beginning of a new chapter in our athletics.” He emphasized that the Classic is not about personal recognition, but about providing Indian athletes with world-class opportunities to compete alongside the global elite. “This is what I want in India, as there should be at least 4, 5, 6 competitions which are world class. The athletes should get a chance and people should see them play. That will be very good for our sport,” Chopra said.
The event’s significance extends beyond competition. Chopra’s vision is to spark a javelin revolution in India, much like the impact of his Tokyo 2020 gold medal, which inspired the nation and led to the institution of National Javelin Day. With the NC Classic, Chopra hopes to lay the foundation for a thriving athletics culture, ensuring that Indian talent can shine on the world stage for years to come.
