Neeraj proves the warm host and hot competitor

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.

It was a goosebumps moment for those in the stands as he bowed to the fans and took a victory lap after winning the competition with a throw of 86.18m, outclassing some world class throwers. 2016 Olympics silver medallist Julius Yego (Kenya) registered his season best of 84.51m to finish second and Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage was third with 84.34m.