 "Brett Lee said he admires the sporting achievements of Neeraj Chopra. Images: PTI/Reuters")
Former Australian cricketer legend Brett Lee praised Neeraj Chopra as he reacted to the star Indian athlete mentioning him while discussing javelin throw and the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 in Bengaluru. The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj will be the star attraction during the NC Classic 2025 on 5 July.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 will also include some of the best javelin throw athletes from across the world, including two-time world champion Anderson Peters and 2016 Olympic Champion Thomas Rohler.
Neeraj Chopra gives Brett Lee a shoutout
While discussing the upcoming event of which Neeraj is also a part organiser, the Paris Olympics silver medallist also spoke about cricketers who could do well in the sport. He picked former fast bowler Lee as someone who could have done very well in the javelin throw during his peak.
“I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years,” Neeraj said.
Reacting to Neeraj’s comments, Lee admitted that he tried out javelin throw in his school days, but it was nowhere near the high standards the Indian athlete has set by winning two Olympic medals and also a world championship.
“I did throw the javelin back at my schooling days, but nowhere near what Neeraj does & continues to do. Very tough on the elbow. I have however admired what this fine athlete can do and wish him well,” Lee wrote on X.
Coming back to the NC Classic. It will be India’s first international javelin throw event. It has been approved as a World Athletics ‘A’ category javelin throw event, equivalent to a Continental Tour Gold-level competition.
Impact Shorts
More ShortsMeanwhile, India’s Kishore Jena has pulled out of the competition due to an ankle injury and has been replaced by Yashvir Singh. The 23-year-old Yashvir has a personal best of 82.57m.
Neeraj enters the competition in red-hot form, having won the Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike recently. Earlier this year in Doha, he also breached the 90m mark for the first time in his career.