Neeraj Chopra Takes Aim at Something New

The Neeraj Chopra Classic will bring together some of the biggest stars of world javelin

- Shail Desai

The last few months have presented a different sort of challenge for Neeraj Chopra. He's had to understand the world of floodlights and lumens. He's had to walk around the Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru to inspect everything from the gym to the changing room and the seating arrangements. He's looked at which flowers seem the prettiest on the podium.

Chopra's attention to detail has never been in doubt when it comes to launching the javelin, but he's had to go beyond the scope of his usual grind while putting together the Neeraj Chopra Classic on 5 July. The inaugural edition, a World Athletics "A" category event, will feature three of the top 10 javelin throw exponents of the world. For once, it will be an exhibition of world-class action unfolding in Chopra's own backyard.

"When I started travelling around the world to compete, I would see how well the events were organised and how people would step out to support the athletes. And I always imagined something of the sort in India that featured world-class competition. Finally it's happening, so these are exciting times," Chopra said during a press conference earlier this year.

The inspiration for organising an event in his name was the Mondo Classic hosted by Swedish pole vaulting legend, Armand Duplantis, and the Keely Klassic started by Keely Hodgkinson, who took gold in the 800 metres at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.