For First time Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra to face world-class throwers on home ground
Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra is set to compete on home soil against the world’s finest javelin throwers in what promises to be a high-profile event. The Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Panchkula will serve as the venue for the World Athletics Category A event on May 24, which has been named the Neeraj Chopra Classic. This one-day tournament comes after months of discussions between World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of India, finalizing a competition that will bring some of the best in the sport to India.
For Chopra, this will mark his first appearance in an Indian competition after a break of 374 days, with his last domestic outing being at the Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar in May 2024. Confirming the event, AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo stated that Neeraj Chopra and other leading javelin throwers from across the world would take part in the prestigious competition, with further details to be finalized soon.
Chopra, who added a second Olympic medal to his collection with a silver at the Paris Games, last competed in September at the Diamond League in Brussels, where he secured another silver with a best throw of 87.86 meters. The star athlete had been dealing with an adductor niggle over the past year but resumed pre-season training in South Africa last November. Spending 31 days at Potchefstroom, he later took time off for his wedding in Solan, Himachal Pradesh, on January 16. Over the past few weeks, he has been training under legendary Czech javelin thrower Jan Zelezny, a three-time Olympic and world champion who holds the current world record.
Before competing in Panchkula, Chopra is expected to participate in the Doha Diamond League on May 16. AFI president Sagoo highlighted how significant this event would be for Indian athletics, considering Chopra had trained extensively at Panchkula during his junior years and had long desired to compete in a World Athletics event at home. Hosting an elite-level javelin competition in India, featuring the Olympic champion, is expected to serve as a tremendous source of inspiration for young athletes.
Chopra himself had previously expressed his aspiration to bring a top-tier javelin event to India. Earlier this year, he shared his excitement about making this long-held dream a reality with the support of JSW Sports and AFI. He was confident that both his fellow athletes and Indian fans would help create an unforgettable experience. The event also received backing from World Athletics president Sebastian Coe, who praised the initiative, emphasizing that it would offer Indian fans a chance to witness their sporting heroes compete at home.
