Stars set to light up the Neeraj Chopra Classic

Neeraj Chopra Classic featuring world javelin stars, shifted to Bengaluru, aims to elevate Indian athletics on global stage.

Some of the biggest names in world javelin including two-time world champion Anderson Peters, current World leader Curtis Thompson, 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler and former world champion Julius  Yego will be in action at the Neeraj Chopra Classic at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on May 24.

The event, originally scheduled to be held at the Tau Devi Lal Complex in Panchkula, was forced to be shifted due to technical issues including minimum lighting requirements from World Athletics and international broadcasters. The biggest draw, however, will remain the man after whom it is named – Neeraj Chopra.

“It was a long-held dream. Whenever I went abroad to participate, I saw events and how people came to support athletes and enjoy and thought if we could do something similar in India. I spoke to my coach (Jan  Zelezny) and training partners and some other athletes and they thought it would be good to name it after me. I am also inspired by other similar events — Mondo Classic (Armand Duplantis), Kip Keino Classic and Keely Klassic (Keely Hodgkinson). Now it’s finally happening, I am excited about it,” Neeraj said in an interaction from his training base in Potchefstroom in South Africa.

There will also be other European athletes and at least 3-4 Indians participating with the names gradually being finalised. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem has also been invited. “It is a World Athletics Category-A event so it will be very helpful for Indians to get ranking points for the World Championships. We have spoken to  Arshad also like everyone else but there is no confirmation yet. We will keep everyone updated,” Neeraj explained.

From being just an athlete to a legend to now the force behind bringing home India’s first real world-class athletics event, Neeraj has broken new ground. His dreams, however, are much higher. “Whenever people asked what was left to achieve, no one including me thought of something like this but this is perhaps the next step that was somewhere at the back of my mind. The medals I have won are at home but I think this is the best way I can give something back to the country and Indian athletics, something that will be for everyone.

“As an athlete, I was only focussed on training and recovery but now I am completely involved in this, getting out of my comfort zone. Earlier it was a lot more hands-on when the event was planned in Panchkula because it’s my home ground, now there is the entire JSW team handling it so it’s much easier.

“Earlier, it was simply about turning up at the ground; now, I am even checking whether the gym and washrooms are okay, the food, hotels, grass and track quality, javelins and changing room, everything! We are working to give everyone the best experience possible, show the foreign athletes Indian hospitality and spread the word,” he hoped.