All eyes are set on Bengaluru as the city prepares to host the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic on July 5, 2025, a landmark event poised to elevate Indian athletics to unprecedented heights. The Sree Kanteerava Stadium is ready to welcome a star-studded field of javelin throwers, headlined by India's own Olympic and world champion, Neeraj Chopra.
The NC Classic marks a historic moment as India's first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Level or World Athletics Category A event, making it one of the biggest athletic competitions held on Indian soil since the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. This competition, co-organized by Neeraj Chopra himself, along with JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics, is more than just a sporting event; it's a statement of India's growing presence in the global athletics arena. Chopra has expressed his excitement about giving back to Indian athletics through this event, hoping it will inspire athletes and fans alike. He envisions the NC Classic as an annual competition with the potential to include other athletic events in the future.
Neeraj Chopra enters the NC Classic with impressive momentum, having secured victories at the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike in the preceding month. Earlier in the season, he also achieved a personal milestone by breaching the 90m mark at the Doha Diamond League with a throw of 90.23m, setting a new national record. This places him as a favorite to win the Classic.
The competition will commence at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) and will be available for live streaming and telecast across India. Besides the on-field action, the event promises a vibrant atmosphere with live performances by leading Indian artists, dedicated fan zones, and engaging activities.
The impressive list of participants includes international stars such as Olympic gold medalist Thomas Rohler of Germany, and 2015 world champion Julius Yego of Kenya. Alongside Neeraj Chopra, the Indian contingent features Sachin Yadav, who recently won a silver medal at the Asian Athletics Championships. While Anderson Peters and Kishore Jena had to withdraw due to injuries, the field remains highly competitive. Other athletes to watch out for include Cyprian Mrzyglód (POL), Luiz Mauricio da Silva (BRA), Curtis Thompson (USA), Martin Konecny (POL), Rumesh Pathirage (SRI), Rohit Yadav (IND), Sahil Silwal (IND), and Yash Vir Singh (IND).
The Neeraj Chopra Classic was initially planned for Panchkula but was moved to Bengaluru due to inadequate lighting at the original venue. This underlines the commitment to providing a world-class experience for both athletes and viewers. As Bengaluru prepares to host this historic event, the stage is set for a thrilling competition that will not only showcase the talent of Neeraj Chopra and other top athletes but also inspire a new generation of athletes and fans in India.
