The inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, India's first-ever international javelin competition, has suffered another setback with the withdrawal of Anderson Peters due to an ankle injury. This comes as a blow to the event, which was initially postponed due to military tensions between India and Pakistan and has now been further impacted by the absence of key athletes.
Peters, a two-time World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist from Grenada, was expected to be a major draw at the competition. His absence will undoubtedly be felt by fans eager to witness a high-caliber javelin showdown. The 27-year-old sustained the ankle injury during his last competition. Poland's Cyprian Mrzyglód, the 2019 European U23 champion with a personal best of 84.97 meters, has been named as Peters' replacement.
Earlier, Kishore Jena also withdrew from the Neeraj Chopra Classic due to an ankle injury. Yashvir Singh, who finished second in the Federation Cup in April and fifth in the Asian Athletics Championships in May with a personal best of 82.57m, has been named as Jena's replacement.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic, after being rescheduled, is now set to take place in Bengaluru. The event will feature a world-class field of javelin throwers, including India's own Neeraj Chopra. Originally slated for May 24, the competition aims to provide a platform for both established stars and emerging talents in the sport.
Despite the withdrawals, the competition is still expected to be a significant event for javelin fans in India. The organizers have worked to ensure a high level of competition, and the presence of Neeraj Chopra, along with other international athletes, will provide an exciting spectacle. Tickets for the event range from Rs 199 to Rs 9,999.
The final lineup includes Cyprian Mrzyglód, stepping in for Anderson Peters, and Yashvir Singh, replacing Kishore Jena. Other participants include Neeraj Chopra and other prominent javelin throwers. The event was initially scheduled for May but faced postponement because of military tensions between India and Pakistan. Martin Konecny from Poland had already replaced Genki Dean of Japan.
