Neeraj Chopra Throws Big with the ‘Neeraj Chopra Classic Event’
India’s javelin throw superstar Neeraj Chopra has become synonymous with the sport. He is single handedly responsible for revolutionizing the way people used to perceive Javelin Throw as an athletic sport.
With a population of approx. 140 crores in our country, it is not wrong to say that cricket gets the maximum attention from citizens all over. For any sport to grow in the nation, an entire ecosystem process has to be created, and this is what Neeraj has decided to do.
Using his already rich legacy as a foundation and the inner thought to give back to the sport which has given him everything, he is about to launch a big-ticket event in the garden city of Bengaluru, called as the ‘Neeraj Chopra Classic’. With this event already generating lot of buzz, it’s a project that’s certainly quite dear to him.
It is presumably as close to his heart as his two Olympic medals or the world title that made him a global athletics star. Neeraj’s career-defining moments on the field have put Indian athletics on the world map, but he fully understands that for this sport to expand further, an entire chain has to be created and sustained. Chopra’s dedication towards practice is really admirable.
Once a professional competitive event is done and dusted, irrespective of whatever the result may have been, he jumps back to his concentrate on his form and dives further into the practice. He is constantly hungry to keep working on his skill, work hard and let the actions speak for them.
To place the first step in this direction, inviting and bringing the top-tier athletics event is the starting point as per him. The Neeraj Chopra Classic event, which is slated to take place next month, will witness the star from Haryana compete in front of the Indian fans.
With his bustling energy and a packed audience expected to watch him and other international stars live in action will make it a highly celebrated and starry event undoubtedly. Two-time world champion Anderson Peters, American Curtis Thompson, 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany, Rio Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego of Kenya – all these names have confirmed their participation so far.
More big names are expected to be added in a few days. There will be some Indians names as well, who will be added to this list and get an opportunity to compete alongside the above-mentioned global stars. Like most people will agree, the biggest possible name in the track field will be Neeraj Chopra himself. What’s interesting is that an official invitation has also gone out to Arshad Nadeem, the Paris Olympics champion from Pakistan, but his participation is yet to be confirmed, since government permissions and clearance is currently pending. The final list will be shared by him thereafter.
He conquered the world. Now, he brings the world home🌍
Neeraj Chopra presents India’s first premium javelin showdown — a global stage where legends will rise and history will be written.
The world’s best are coming. Are you ready?
📍 Bengaluru | May 24#NeerajChopraClassic pic.twitter.com/BJvFpXGKav
— Neeraj Chopra Classic (@nc_classic) April 21, 2025
Neeraj’s rising stature has led the World Athletics (WA) to mark it as a gold standard event and also make it a qualifier for the world championship in September. The competition was earlier scheduled to take place in Neeraj’s home turf of Panchkula, Haryana, but had to shifted to Bengaluru due to some technical issues at the venue.
Neeraj’s association with the project at a personal level makes it even more engaging for him both as a sports star and as a host. He has reached out to the throwers personally and convinced them to visit India for this event, savour the experience and mark their presence.
As he prepares for the upcoming Doha Diamond League, the idea to have a unique event such as this germinated in his head during an earlier competition and since then it became his ambition to fulfil it. It allows him to give back to the sport, contribute to the growth of Indian athletics and make people recognize outdoor athletics deeply.
In the times ahead, Neeraj wants to make the event an annual affair and add more disciplines, including women’s javelin throw too, which will surely elevate the level of competition and also put female sports personalities on a global map to give them the fame they equally deserve.
