A Champion's Homecoming Victory
In a fitting conclusion to an event bearing his name, javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra won the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru. In front of a thrilled crowd of nearly 15,000 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, Chopra clinched the top spot with a powerful throw of 86.18m. The victory marked a triumphant moment for the two-time Olympic medallist, who not only competed but was also the visionary and driving force behind the event.
A Hard-Fought Competition
After starting with a foul throw, Chopra quickly found his rhythm. He took the lead with his second attempt of 82.99m and then secured the title with his decisive third throw of 86.18m. The international field provided stiff competition, with Kenya’s Julius Yego finishing in second place and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage taking third. The event, a World Athletics Category A competition, successfully brought top-tier javelin throwing to an enthusiastic Indian audience.
A Dream to Promote the Sport
For Chopra, the event was the realization of a long-held dream. Inspired by his own experiences training and competing globally, he has been passionate about creating a high-profile platform for javelin in India. He was deeply involved in every aspect of the event's planning and execution, from the competition's structure to ensuring the comfort of the international athletes. On the eve of the competition, he stated that his primary focus was making the event a success to help promote the sport he loves. His victory was the perfect culmination of that vision, blending his role as a world-class athlete with that of a dedicated ambassador for his sport.
