Neeraj Chopra proves the warm host and hot competitor in Bengaluru

India's stalwart javelin thrower wins event named after him, throwing 86.18m at a packed stadium

- Avishek Roy

The atmosphere at Sree Kanteerava Stadium was electrifying from the moment the gates opened. Each time Neeraj Chopra appeared on the runway — whether during his warm-up throws, his grand entrance, or in the heat of competition — the crowd erupted in deafening applause. On Saturday, the two-time Olympic medallist and reigning world champion experienced a level of fandom and adulation usually reserved for India’s cricketing icons.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic was the 27-year-old’s quest to bring a world-class athletics event to India and it took flight spectacularly under the floodlights. Nearly 15,000 people filled the stadium with an infectious energy and passion rarely seen for an Olympic discipline in the country. Chants of ‘Neeraj, Neeraj’ reverberated.