Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra, who is stepping into a dual role as both a top-tier athlete and an event organiser, expressed a deep sense of duty and pride as he prepares to host the first-ever Neeraj Chopra Classic, an ambitious and large-scale athletics event that bears his name.
Speaking to PTI on Friday, Chopra emphasized the significance of the tournament, not just for himself but for the broader community of Indian athletes and athletics fans.
“Taking on the responsibility as both an organiser and a competitor, I felt it was important to deliver this event on a grand scale. I genuinely believe we are on track to achieve that.
The fans can expect an electrifying atmosphere and a showcase of world-class javelin talent tomorrow,” Chopra remarked, clearly enthusiastic about the tournament’s potential impact.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic is set to make its debut on Saturday, July 6, at the iconic Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. The event, originally scheduled to take place on May 24, was postponed due to escalating tensions between India and Pakistan.
The organisers, prioritising the safety of participants and attendees, decided to defer the event in light of national security concerns and in a gesture of unity and solidarity.
What makes this tournament particularly unique is Chopra’s active involvement not just as the face of the event, but also as a competitor on the field.
While he enters the competition as the clear favourite, he emphasized that his real excitement stems from the opportunity the event creates for his fellow Indian athletes.
“I’ve already secured my qualification, so my focus is not only on competing but on providing a platform for other Indian javelin throwers to shine.
This is an A-category event, which means it can significantly help athletes in their global rankings. I am extremely grateful to World Athletics for recognising the importance of this meet and granting it top-tier status,” he explained.
Chopra heads into the NC Classic riding high on the momentum of an impressive 2025 season. He recently clinched first place at the Paris Diamond League, showcasing his elite form.
Earlier in the season, at the Doha Diamond League, he made history by breaching the elusive 90-metre mark — a personal milestone that adds yet another feather to his already illustrious cap.
Following that, he continued his winning streak by securing victory at the Ostrava Golden Spike athletics meet.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic promises a thrilling lineup of international talent, with 12 of the world’s leading javelin throwers confirmed to participate. Among them are Anderson Peters, the silver medallist at the upcoming Paris Olympics, and Julius Yego, the former World Champion from Kenya.
Other elite names include Germany’s Thomas Rohler and Brazil’s Luiz Mauricio Da Silva, both formidable contenders on the global stage.
India’s challenge at the event will be spearheaded not only by Chopra but also by a strong lineup of homegrown talents, including Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, Sahil Silwal, and Yashvir Singh — all of whom will be aiming to make their mark in front of a home crowd.
Athletics fans across the country will have the chance to witness this historic event live, as it will be broadcast on Star Sports and streamed via JioCinema (JioHotstar) on Friday, July 5th, from 7:00 PM onwards.
For those wishing to experience the action in person, tickets are currently available on District by Zomato, offering a rare opportunity to see Olympic-level competition on Indian soil.
With world-class athletes, high stakes, and Neeraj Chopra himself leading from the front, the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic is poised to be a landmark moment in Indian athletics.
