Neeraj Chopra thrilled a packed home crowd in Bengaluru by winning the gold medal at the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 with a best throw of 86.18 meters. The event, held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, marked India's first-ever international javelin competition and a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold-level event, placing Bengaluru among elite athletic hubs.
Chopra's victory was hard-earned, with challenging windy conditions adding to the pressure of competing in front of a home audience. After a foul throw to start, he took the lead with his second attempt of 82.99 meters before unleashing the winning throw of 86.18 meters in his third attempt. Despite not being fully satisfied with the distance, Chopra expressed happiness with the win, acknowledging the mental toughness required to perform under pressure. His other throws included 84.07m and 82.22m.
Kenya's Julius Yego, a 2016 Olympic silver medalist, finished second with a best throw of 84.51 meters, while Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage, a former under-16 fast bowler, secured third place with 84.34 meters.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 is a collaboration between Neeraj Chopra, JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics (WA). Chopra's involvement extended beyond competing, as he played a significant role in the event's planning and execution, even overseeing details like the food for international athletes. He expressed immense joy in seeing his vision come to life, inspired by watching elite javelin throwers train.
The event was broadcast on Star Sports 2 and Star Sports Hindi and live-streamed on the JioHotstar app and website.
Other participants included Cyprian Mrzygłod from Poland, Curtis Thompson from the USA, and Luiz Mauricio Da Silva from Brazil.
Chopra's win at the NC Classic marks his third consecutive title after victories at the Paris Diamond League and Ostrava. Reflecting on the event, Chopra acknowledged the challenging weather conditions and his role as host, ensuring the well-being of all participants. Thomas Rohler praised Chopra's dedication and the effort he invested in organizing the event while still managing to compete and win.
