An event named after him featuring world’s top javelin throwers, giving back to Indian athletics

Even after all these years of competing and winning, like any good athlete, Neeraj Chopra continues to learn. He has a new coach in his corner – world record holder Jan Zelezny – and is getting ready for another season of grind. But that is not all, he is learning things about his event that he had never given a second thought about before. Like lighting levels required at a venue for broadcasting, that is measured in lux – the unit of illuminance. As it turned out that was the reason the event had to be moved from close to his home in Panchkula, Haryana to the Sree Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium, Bengaluru.
“The World Athletics requirements for international broadcast needed 600 lux and we needed more. There was not enough time to arrange everything. So, for this year, we are shifting this event to Bengaluru,” Neeraj said on Monday. “Things like that the brightness should be at a certain lux value, I didn’t even know this till now. We just knew that we have to go and play. Lights are on and it’s like the day comes out at night in the stadium.”
Under bright enough lights on May 24 in Bengaluru, some of the top names are set to compete. Neeraj, who has been involved personally in inviting the elite javelin throwers, confirmed the headliners. He started off with Anderson Peters, a man who has been a near constant in Neeraj’s journey, a two-time world champion and bronze medall at Paris Olympics. Thomas Rohler, 2016 Olympic champion and an European champion, will be there. There will be Julios Yego, the man famously known for learning the art of javelin throw through YouTube, and became an Olympic medal and a World Champion. As will be USA’s Curtis Thomson, who is the world leader in 2025 so far with a 87m+ throw.
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There was the obvious question: what about Paris Olympics champion Arshad Nadeem? “Absolutely, Arshad has been talked to. He is consulting his coach but has not confirmed his participation yet,” Neeraj said. “Like other top throwers, Arshad too has been invited. It will involve government (permission) etc. Once everything is confirmed, we will know the final l.”
He then added with a smile. “And yes, I would like to confirm that I will also compete in this event.”
While most of the arrangements were completed for hosting the event in Haryana, moving to Bengaluru makes logical sense too. JSW Sports, who have supported Neeraj all these years, own Bengaluru FC in the Indian Super League and they play at the Kanteerava, where they have a loyal established support. Neeraj has fond memories of training in Bengaluru at the time he threw a junior World Record in 2016, a turning point of his life. “It was going on somewhere in the back of my mind that it is almost May end, it will be very hot in Panchkula. But for Bengaluru, the weather is always good, especially in the evening. Conditions will be perfect weather for throwing.”
Holding an event of this import in India wasn’t on Neeraj’s mind all those years back when he started the sport of course. But as he started competing internationally and tasting success, an idea was born. Constantly competing in Europe, especially at Diamond Leage meets, the idea grew into a dream. Neeraj had once said after winning the Diamond League season finale, that despite already being the reigning Olympic champion, it was that night in Zurich he felt like he really belonged. “Aaj aisa feel hua ki hum bhi global athletics ka ek hissa hain (I really felt tonight that I am a part of the global athletics fraternity too),” he would say in a press conference around 3 am in India. And that’s also cool thing about having this event in his own backyard now. Thousands of fans will get to watch him in flesh and blood at prime time, not just in glimpses around midnight as European events tend to be.Story continues below this ad

Mondo Duplantis has the Mondo Classic. Keely Hodgkinson has the Keely Klaasic. And now Neeraj Chopra has the NC Classic. India’s greatest track & field athlete says it’s a dream come true – comparable with the medals he has won. “People always ask me about what next after Olympics, World Championships, Diamond League, etc. All my medals are special and are kept at home. It’s great that I have won those. But, this… hosting such an event, I actually feel that I have given something back to Indian athletics.”
And in his bid to organise this event along with JSW Sports and Athletics Federation of India, Neeraj has had to get out of his comfort zone. What else goes into organising an event of this standard… how are the washrooms? Is the gym okay? How will the hotel rooms be? How should the food be for the world-class athletes? Of course, the javelins should be good. How is the grass on the ground? Is the track quality good where the athletes will throw from? How is the seating arrangement for the people? “There are a lot of new things that keep coming to my mind. Things like how the throwing sector should be decorated with flowers and so that it looks good,” Neeraj said.
As he signed off from the press conference, Neeraj was his usual genial self. “I request all parents out there to bring their kids so that they can learn about our sport. Jaldi milte hain India mein…” and this time at a first-of-its-kind event.

Vinayakk Mohanarangan is Senior Assant Editor and is based in New Delhi. … Read More