Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra etched another significant chapter in Indian athletics history on Saturday, July 5, 2025, by clinching the inaugural “Neeraj Chopra Classic” (NC Classic) with a formidable throw of 86.18m. This landmark event, held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, marked India’s first-ever international javelin throw competition with World Athletics Category A status, a dream realized for the javelin superstar.
A Triumphant Return to Home Soil
The NC Classic saw Neeraj Chopra compete on Indian soil after a considerable gap, much to the delight of a packed and enthusiastic home crowd. The atmosphere was electric, with nearly 15,000 spectators turning out to witness the historic occasion and cheer on their national hero. Despite facing challenging headwind conditions, Chopra delivered a performance that reaffirmed his status as a dominant force in the sport.
Third Consecutive Title in a Stellar Season
This victory marks Neeraj Chopra’s third successive international title, showcasing his remarkable consistency and peak form this season. His win at the NC Classic follows impressive victories at the Paris Diamond League on June 20, where he threw 88.16m, and the Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic on June 24, with a throw of 85.29m. This impressive hat-trick of titles underscores his unwavering performance at the elite level.
The Winning Throw and Competition Highlights
Chopra’s winning throw of 86.18m came in his third attempt. He began the competition with a foul, but quickly regained his composure with an 82.99m throw in his second attempt, taking an initial lead. While momentarily losing the top spot to Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage (84.34m in his third attempt), Chopra responded with his winning throw, securing the gold medal.
Kenya’s Julius Yego, the 2015 World Champion and 2016 Olympic silver medalist, secured the silver medal with a season-best throw of 84.51m. Rumesh Pathirage of Sri Lanka took the bronze with his 84.34m effort. India’s Sachin Yadav put up a strong fight, finishing fourth with a best throw of 82.33m. Notably, Thomas Röhler, the 2016 Rio Olympics champion, had a challenging outing and was eliminated after the first three throws.
A Dream Realized for Indian Athletics
The Neeraj Chopra Classic was not just a competition but a celebration of Indian athletics. Co-organized by Neeraj Chopra himself in collaboration with JSW Sports and approved by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the event brought together a world-class field of 12 javelin throwers, including seven top international athletes and five Indian throwers. This event is a significant step towards boosting the profile of athletics in India and inspiring a new generation of athletes. Chopra expressed his immense joy at seeing his vision come to fruition, emphasizing his desire to promote the sport within the country.
