The Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 is set to be a historic event for Indian athletics, marking the nation's first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Gold Level competition. Scheduled for July 5th at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, the event is co-organized by Neeraj Chopra himself and JSW Sports, with sanctioning from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). This World Athletics Category A event aims to elevate India's presence on the global athletics stage, bringing world-class throwers to compete on Indian soil.
Neeraj Chopra views the NC Classic as a "watershed moment" for Indian athletics, expressing his hope that more events of this caliber will be held in India in the future. He feels that he has given something back to India and its athletes through this event. The competition provides an opportunity for Indian and Asian athletes to earn World Athletics ranking points without needing to travel to Europe or North America. These points are crucial for qualifying for major global championships like the Olympics and World Championships.
The event boasts a strong international lineup, including Olympic medalists Thomas Rohler (Germany), Julius Yego (Kenya). India's Sachin Yadav, silver medalist at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships, will also be competing. Originally, Anderson Peters of Grenada and India's Kishore Jena were also on the entry list but had to withdraw due to injuries.
The Sree Kanteerava Stadium has undergone significant renovations to meet the standards of a World Athletics Gold Level event. Upgrades include improved spectator stands, VVIP and corporate boxes, a new pitch-side hospitality zone, an entertainment stage, and a re-laid turf. The stadium is equipped with Fully Automatic Timing (FAT), wind measurement systems, and advanced field event equipment. Strict adherence to doping control protocols is also ensured.
Neeraj Chopra's javelin throw event is scheduled to start at 7:00 PM Indian Standard Time (IST) on Saturday. For those unable to attend, the event will be broadcast live on Star Sports 1 Hindi and Star Sports 2, and streamed online via JioCinema and Hotstar. The World Athletics website will also provide a free live stream.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic is more than just a competition; it's a comprehensive experience. Besides the athletic events, the evening includes live performances by Indian artists, dedicated fan zones, and various engagement activities. This event marks Neeraj Chopra's most significant competitive appearance in India to date. He began his 2025 season with a win at the Potch Invitational in South Africa. He then finished second at the Doha Diamond League, where he achieved a personal best and national record with a 90.23m throw. Following this, he secured another second-place finish at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland and achieved victories at the Paris Diamond League and the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czechia.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic represents a significant step forward for Indian athletics, providing a platform for both established stars and emerging talents to showcase their abilities on a global stage. It aims to inspire a new generation of athletes and solidify India's position as a rising force in the world of athletics.
