Battling strong headwinds and world-class rivals, India’s golden javelin star delivers a powerful 86.18m throw to clinch third consecutive title in front of his parents and home fans.
Bengaluru: In a rousing evening of sport and spirit, Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra stamped his authority yet again, winning the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium with a stellar third-round throw of 86.18 metres—despite challenging weather conditions and intense competition.
Cheered on by a packed home crowd and with his parents watching from the stands, the 27-year-old icon not only conquered the swirling Bengaluru winds but also thrilled fans by headlining a top-tier javelin event featuring 12 elite athletes, including seven international stars.
The Classic, organised in collaboration with JSW Sports and recognised with a prestigious Gold Status by World Athletics, marked a milestone for Indian athletics—being the first world-class javelin competition hosted by and named after the reigning Olympic and World champion.
A Champion Under Pressure
The competition began on a tense note for Neeraj, as his opening throw was ruled a foul. Moments later, longtime rival and friend Julius Yego of Kenya walked over, offering a word of calm. That brief exchange seemed to reignite Chopra’s focus. In his second attempt, he hurled the spear to a respectable 82.99m, temporarily seizing the lead.
But the battle was far from over.
Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage—a former U-16 fast bowler—produced the surprise of the day with a phenomenal third-round throw of 84.34m, overtaking Chopra and electrifying the crowd. Yet, Chopra, unshaken by the challenge, responded like a true champion—launching the javelin to 86.18m in his very next attempt to reclaim the top spot. The roar that followed was deafening.
Despite fouling his fourth throw and slightly dipping in the final two rounds (84.07m and 82.22m), Neeraj held on to his lead as neither Yego nor Pathirage could breach his mark. Yego secured second place with his best of 84.51m in the fourth round, while Pathirage settled for a commendable third. India’s rising star Sachin Yadav narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth with a throw of 82.33m.
Against the Wind, With the Crowd
Strong headwinds at the Kanteerava Stadium made conditions particularly tricky, with athletes often switching between headwind and tailwind javelins. But the crowd, undeterred, remained vocal and enthusiastic throughout—rallying behind Chopra and celebrating each strong throw as a collective victory.
As an athlete and organiser, Chopra’s efforts drew praise across the board. The seamless execution of the event, the presence of global competitors, and the electrifying home atmosphere all contributed to a new benchmark for Indian track and field.
“This was not just a win for me,” Chopra said post-event, “but a celebration of javelin and Indian athletics. I’ve always dreamt of creating something like this, and to see it come alive in front of my people is very special.”
A Hat-trick of Wins, Eyes on Paris
This marks Chopra’s third straight win in the 2025 season—following victories at the Paris Diamond League (June 20) and Golden Spike in Ostrava, Poland (June 24). With the Paris Olympics just around the corner, his form and focus appear razor-sharp.
Coach Jan Železný, the Czech javelin legend, was present by his side throughout the event, carefully observing and offering guidance.
A New Era for Indian Field Events
The NC Classic wasn’t just about one man—it was about an idea. An idea that Indian athletics can be global in stature, thrilling in spectacle, and deeply rooted in national pride.
With the Athletics Federation of India backing the event and global stars flying in to compete, Bengaluru bore witness to an evening that may well become the blueprint for future field events in India.
For now, though, it belongs to Neeraj Chopra—the man who once threw a spear into history, and now throws open the doors to the future of Indian sport.
Box: Final Standings – NC Classic 2025
- Neeraj Chopra (India) – 86.18m
- Julius Yego (Kenya) – 84.51m
- Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka) – 84.34m
- Sachin Yadav (India) – 82.33m
