Gold! India's pride Neeraj Chopra claims top spot at inaugural NC Classic with 86.18m throw
On a landmark evening for Indian athletics, two-time Olympic medallist and World Champion
Neeraj Chopra
on Saturday delivered a resounding performance to clinch gold at the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 in Bengaluru with a stunning throw of 86.18m.
Competing on Indian soil for the first time in years, Neeraj thrilled a packed Sree Kanteerava Stadium, overcoming a foul in his opening round to produce the night's best in his third attempt.
Watch:
The event brought together a world-class field of 12 elite javelin throwers from across the globe, including 2016 Olympic gold medallist Thomas Röhler (Germany), 2015 World Champion Julius Yego (Kenya), South American record-holder Luiz Mauricio da Silva (Brazil), and Pan Am Games winner Curtis Thompson (USA).
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel.
SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Despite the fierce competition, Neeraj's consistency and confidence proved unmatched, following up his winning throw with solid efforts of 84.07m and 82.22m.
Julius Yego secured silver with an 84.51m throw, while Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage impressed with 84.34m for bronze.
India's
Sachin Yadav
also made a late push with an 82.23m final effort but couldn't break into the top three.
The NC Classic 2025 wasn't just a competition—it was a celebration.
Neeraj, serving as both star and organiser, led a field that included rising Indian talents like Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh, Sahil Silwal, and Rohit Yadav.
Fans witnessed not just big throws but also the dawning of a new chapter for Indian athletics, as Bengaluru hosted its first World Athletics Gold-level javelin event.
As the anthem played and the crowd erupted, Neeraj Chopra not only defended his global supremacy but also lit the path for India's next generation of champions.
For real-time updates, scores, and highlights, follow our live coverage of the
India vs England Test match
here.
Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hindustan Times
an hour ago
- Hindustan Times
Ravi Shastri announces, 'Vaibhav Suryavanshi will be fast-tracked into the Indian team if...'
Former India head coach Ravi Shastri heaped praise on 14-year-old batting prodigy Vaibhav Suryavanshi, suggesting the youngster could be fast-tracked into the senior national setup if he continues his rapid rise through the ranks. India's Vaibhav Suryavanshi celebrates after completing his century against England U19(Action Images via Reuters) Suryavanshi's latest heroics came in the fourth Youth ODI against England Under-19s, where he smashed a blistering 143 off just 78 balls to power India to a massive 363 for 9. His innings, which featured 13 fours and 10 towering sixes, included a record-breaking century in just 52 balls — the fastest ever in Youth ODIs. The previous record was held by Pakistan's Kamran Ghulam (53 balls in 2013). "He will play First-Class cricket, but that's what the IPL does. It gives you that platform. The whole country sees you. And you catch the imagination of everyone," said Shastri during commentary on the ongoing Test between England and India at Edgbaston when former England captain Michael Atherton asked about Vaibhav Suryavanshi. "It will fast-track him if he goes and plays First-Class cricket, goes and gets a couple of hundreds in his first couple of seasons." Suryavanshi, who hails from Samastipur in Bihar, became the youngest to score a Youth ODI century at 14 years and 100 days — surpassing the previous record held by Bangladesh's Najmul Hossain Shanto (14 years, 241 days). The young left-hander already made headlines earlier this year during the IPL, scoring the fastest century ever in the league's history — a 35-ball blitz for Rajasthan Royals against Gujarat Titans. 'He has already caught the eyes; already made it to the Under-19 team at the age of 14. Smacking it everywhere. And it's tours like this to England, with this exposure. He can only improve," Shastri added. This isn't the first time Suryavanshi has broken records. He previously scored the second-fastest hundred in a Youth Test — a 58-ball ton against Australia U19 in Chennai last year, placing him just behind Moeen Ali's 56-ball century from 2005. Bihar Cricket Association president Rakesh Tiwari also lauded the youngster's achievement. 'Vaibhav has brought immense pride to Bihar and to the nation. His dedication and mental strength at such a young age are extraordinary. We believe this is just the beginning of many more records to come,' Tiwari said in a statement. India U19 currently lead the five-match series 2-1, with Suryavanshi's exploits putting them firmly in command. With each innings, the young star is not only making a strong case for early inclusion in the senior domestic circuit, but now has backing from one of Indian cricket's most influential voices.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
IND vs ENG 2nd Test: Historic First! India join fabled 1000-club in Tests, smash record for most runs in first two matches of a series
NEW DELHI: In a record-shattering spectacle at Edgbaston, , led by , scripted history by becoming the first Indian side to surpass 1,000 runs in a single Test match, achieving a monumental aggregate of 1,014 runs across both innings of the second Test against England. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. It marks only the sixth time in Test history that any team has reached the 1000-run milestone in a match, and it is India's highest aggregate in Test cricket, eclipsing their previous best of 916 against Australia in Sydney in 2004. Team India now joins an elite group that includes the likes of England (1930), Australia (1934 & 1969), Pakistan (2006), and South Africa (1939) in the fabled "1000-club". 1000-plus team aggregates in a Test 1121 - ENG vs WI, Kingston, 1930 1078 - PAK vs IND, Faisalabad, 2006 1028 - AUS vs ENG, The Oval, 1934 1014 - IND vs ENG, Edgbaston, 2025 1013 - AUS vs WI, Sydney, 1969 1011 - SA vs ENG, Durban, 1939 Akash Deep press conference: On replacing Jasprit Bumrah, message from Gautam Gambhir and more India's aggregate of 1,849 runs in the first two Tests of this series is now the highest by any team in the first two matches of a Test series, underlining their batting dominance and setting the tone for a series to remember. India's total came from scores of 587 all out in the first innings and 427/6 declared in the second, setting England a gargantuan target of 608 — the second-highest India have ever set in a fourth innings and the second-highest England have been asked to chase at home. This historic feat was built on the back of stellar batting performances. In the first innings, captain Shubman Gill led the way with a masterful 269, ably supported by Ravindra Jadeja (89) and Washington Sundar (42). Earlier, Yashasvi Jaiswal's 87 and Karun Nair's 31 had laid the foundation after a shaky start. England fought back through a sensational 303-run stand between Harry Brook (158) and Jamie Smith (184*), but Mohammed Siraj (6/70) and Akash Deep (4/88) turned the game with the new ball, bundling England out for 407. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now India then launched a blistering counterattack. Gill (161) and Jadeja (69*) struck again in the second innings, while Rishabh Pant (65) and KL Rahul (55) delivered quickfire cameos to push India's total past the 1000-mark before declaring.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
Packed stands & flying sears: Bengaluru bows to Neeraj Chopra & co
Bengaluru: Sree Kanteerava Stadium buzzed with anticipation Saturday, even as it was guarded tightly than ever in the wake of the tragedy that claimed 11 lives just 2km away, outside M Chinnaswamy Stadium. As the clock edged toward the 7pm start of the maiden Neeraj Chopra Classic, fans began streaming in almost two hours early, clamouring for the best vantage points in the north lower and upper stands, just behind the javelin runway. But first came the cops to ensure a foolproof security cordon, with even a deputy commissioner of police going around the stands to take stock of the arrangements. The excitement was palpable and artists showcasing Karnataka's folk dance forms such as Yakshagana, Dollu Kunitha, Kamsale and Pata Kunitha entertained people outside the arena. You Can Also Check: Bengaluru AQI | Weather in Bengaluru | Bank Holidays in Bengaluru | Public Holidays in Bengaluru The corporate box inside the stadium, reserved for premium ticket holders, provided occupants with a ringside view of the top stars in action, led by host and star athlete Neeraj Chopra. Scores of schoolchildren filled the stands, making their presence felt by waving flags and jumping up and down whenever they spotted Chopra. The previously empty stands soon filled with colourful javelins, ranging from fluorescent green to bright orange. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Arthritis? Do This Immediately (Watch) Live Happier Click Here Undo by Taboola by Taboola Javelin master Chopra entered next, and the stands erupted in joy as fans watched their favourite star, who has followed in the footsteps of icons such as Milkha Singh, PT Usha and Anju Bobby George, bringing fame to the country in the world of athletics. The evening's events began with entertainment designed to get fans in the groove. First up was The Vixens Crew, a city-based all-women dance team. This was followed by Haryanvi singer Dhanda Nyoliwala, a chart-topper on Spotify's top 200 list, known for his viral songs such as "Up to U" and "Russian Bandana". Soon, all 12 athletes joined in to begin their warm-up session and take a few practice throws. The fans, who filled most of the stands, brought back memories of Indian Super League football matches between Bengaluru FC and Kerala Blasters. Although the main event was yet to start, the appetiser itself delighted the crowd when chief organiser and lead contestant Chopra landed his first practice throw close to the 80-metre mark. Fans experienced world-class athletics as they celebrated with cheering sticks and special flags. By the time the first javelin pierced the grass on the cool evening, 14,593 athletics enthusiasts were cheering for the star-studded line-up. A huge banner reading "From Bengaluru with love to every athlete" perfectly summed up the mood; the fact that Chopra won the gold medal was a fitting finale.
