'Finally giving something back to India': Neeraj Chopra looks at bigger picture as elite athletics event in his name becomes reality

India’s most successful Olympian, Neeraj Chopra, who is wearing multiple hats as both a competitor and an organiser for the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, sees the upcoming prestigious athletics event as an opportunity to “give something back” to his nation. The NC Classic 2025, India’s first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event, will be held on 5 July at the Sri Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.

The men’s javelin throw competition, which will feature top athletes from around the world — including 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Röhler and silver medallist Julius Yego — is being co-organised by two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics (WA).

Neeraj Chopra Classic aims to inspire young talent

The 27-year-old Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj feels the upcoming one-day javelin throw event, named after him as a tribute to his achievements, will inspire more talent in India and lead to more international athletics events in the country.

“I never thought such an event would take place. I am at peace that finally, such an event is taking place, that finally, I am able to give something back to India,” Chopra said on the eve of the NC Classic 2025 in Bengaluru. “I have got a lot of support, this event is targetted to help nurture talents. My wish is that India hosts four to five such international events every year.”

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“This is a new experience and I am enjoying this. I am thinking about my performance, but the event also has to be made successful so that it can be further expanded in the future…So that our Indian athletes also get a chance to compete and our track and field events further elevate,” the silver medal winner form 2024 Paris Games added.

The Karnataka government has also come forward to support Neeraj and India’s first WA Continental Tour Gold event. The Sri Kanteerava Stadium has been decked up and reserved only for the javelin event.

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Neeraj, who hails from Haryana and became the first Indian track and field athlete to win the World Championships gold medal in 2023, recalled his association with the city and hoped for a massive turnout.

“I feel very good about coming to Bengaluru. I have trained here for five to six months in 2016-17. Have come for Bengaluru FC matches as well. People in Bangalore have a passion for sports. There’s no problem with the sporting infrastructure.

“I think we will get a lot of support and people are already showing us a lot of support. Ground is good, weather is also good,” Neeraj said.

But will he be able to win on his return to the Indian soil? Neeraj last competed in India in May 2024 when he won the Federation Cup gold medal with an 82.27m throw. The local fans would be expecting a much bigger throw this time around, considering Neeraj’s blistering recent form.

Neeraj won’t settle for anything less than gold

Earlier this year in Doha, he breached the 90m mark for the first time and enters the NC Classic with back-to-back wins in Paris Diamond League and Ostrava Golden Spike.

Neeraj, of course, faces the dual challenge of a strong field and the physical demands of staying competition-ready while also continuing his role as an organiser.

The Khel Ratna awardee admitted that organising such a huge event takes up a lot of his time and effort, but he has his sights set on performing well as he prepares for the ultimate target in 2025 — the World Championships.

“My inner athlete isn’t tired, it is practising hard. I have my sights set on the event,” Neeraj said. “My focus is on this (Neeraj Chopra Classic) competition and then will build on for LA 2028 post World Championships. My ultimate goal is set.”