What's the buzz about Neeraj Chopra Classic? A historic first for Indian sport
So, what's the big deal about the NC Classic?Quite a lot, actually.WHAT IS THE NC CLASSIC?The NC Classic is a one-day Continental Tour meeting, which has received Gold status from World Athletics. It's the first-of-its-kind track and field meeting to be staged in India.Across the world-apart from the World and Continental Championships and the Diamond League meetings-there are a series of Continental Tour events, which are divided into several categories like A (Gold), B (Silver), C (Bronze), and Challenger events.And with Gold status, the NC Classic is one of the top one-day events, just below the rung of the Diamond League.Remember the Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic, where Neeraj competed earlier this year? That's a Golden-rated World Athletics event that has been a traditional meeting since 1961.Familiar with the Mondo Classic? It's a Silver-category pole vault event organised by pole vaulting great Mondo Duplantis in Sweden every year.The NC Classic will offer substantial points to competing athletes as they bid to qualify for the World Athletics Championships, scheduled to be held in September in Tokyo.It also offers significant prize money.More importantly, young Indian throwers are set to gain exposure by competing with world-class athletes.advertisement"This is the beginning of a new chapter in our athletics," Neeraj told the media in Bengaluru on Friday. "Medals are a different thing. But I've given something like this to India and to Indian athletes. I'm very happy about that."HOW DID THE NC CLASSIC COME ABOUT?Neeraj, who had felt the romance of competing in front of packed stands abroad, dreamt of bringing such an atmosphere to India right after the Tokyo Olympics. The push towards the NC Classic intensified last year when Neeraj and JSW Sports got into action."The thought had been brewing after the Tokyo Olympics, and it was a year ago that we switched gears and began working to make Neeraj's dream a reality. We were confident of being able to pull it off," said Karan Yadav, Chief Commercial Officer, to IndiaToday.in."From procuring the stadium, readying the field of play to match world-class standards, getting sponsors and partners on board, inviting the athletes and coordinating their travel, stay and training preferences, an aggressive marketing and content push, ticketing-the list is extensive. All I'll say is that this has been a mammoth effort to deliver an unforgettable experience."Neeraj has donned the hat of organiser for the first time, juggling training and fulfilling commitments around hosting the NC Classic.
Neeraj Chopra at Sree Kanteerava Stadium (JSW Sports Media)
advertisementSO, WHO WILL COMPETE IN THE NC CLASSIC?Yes, Neeraj will compete in the NC Classic. He is part of the 12-man field that will take the stage on Saturday. Neeraj trained with his coach and world record holder, Jan Zelezny, overseeing preparations on Friday."The athlete in me is always up," Neeraj said when asked if he had been able to find time to prepare for the event as a competitor while managing his duties as organiser.Thomas Rhler, the 2016 Olympic gold medallist, and Julius Yego, silver medallist from Rio, are the other two Olympic medallists in the field. Both had no hesitation in turning up for the event when Neeraj invited them.The USA's Curtis Thompson, who has a season best of 87.76m, will also be in action.Former world champion Anderson Peters was ruled out of the meet earlier this month due to injury.advertisementThe next generation of Indian javelin will also be in action. Four Indian throwers under the age of 25 will have the big stage and a chance to become household names:Sachin Yadav - 24Yash Vir Singh - 23Rohit Yadav - 24Sahil Silwal - 24Sachin Yadav, touted as the next big thing in Indian javelin, heads into the meet after setting his personal best of 85.16m. Tall and stocky, Sachin throws a bit like Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem and effortlessly clears big distances. He has been consistently throwing over 80m over the last 12 months.22-year-old Yash Vir Singh, who finished fifth at the Asian Athletics Championships earlier this year, will also be in action.It will also be a major stop for some overseas youngsters like Cyprian Mrzygld of Poland, Luiz Maurcio da Silva of Brazil, and fast-bowler-turned-javelin-star from Sri Lanka, Rumesh Tharanga.NC CLASSIC: THE START LISTIndiansNeeraj Chopra (IND) - PB and SB: 90.23mSachin Yadav (IND) - PB and SB: 85.16mRohit Yadav (IND) - PB: 83.41m | SB: 80.47mSahil Silwal (IND) - PB: 81.81m | SB: 77.84mYash Vir Singh (IND) - PB and SB: 82.57mOverseas StarsadvertisementThomas Rhler (GER) - PB 93.90m | SB: 80.79mJulius Yego (KEN) - PB 92.72m | SB: 83.08mCyprian Mrzygld (POL) - PB and SB: 85.92mLuiz Maurcio da Silva (BRA) - PB and SB: 86.62mCurtis Thompson (USA) - PB and SB: 87.76mMartin Konecn (CZE) - PB and SB: 80.59mRumesh Pathirage (SRI) - PB and SB: 85.45mNC CLASSIC: WHO'S THE FAVOURITE TO WIN?Neeraj Chopra.The NC Classic will be Neeraj's sixth meeting of 2025. He heads into the competition off the back of wins at the Paris Diamond League (88.16m) and Ostrava Golden Spike (85.29m) in June.Neeraj breached the 90m mark for the first time in his career earlier this year at the Doha Diamond League. He holds the second-best throw of the season (90.23m). Only Julian Weber of Germany has thrown farther-91.06m in Doha this season.Old guards Yego and Rhler will also be in the fray.Watch out for Curtis and Rumesh, who can produce a big 85m-plus throw. Sachin will also be licking his lips to make a mark and become a household name.Yego, speaking to IndiaToday.in on Friday, said the weather in Bengaluru-pleasant as always-might be good for a big throw.Another 90m loading from Neeraj?WHERE WILL THE NC CLASSIC BE HELD?Bengaluru's iconic Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the home of Bengaluru FC, will host the NC Classic. The event was initially scheduled to be held in Neeraj's home state of Haryana but had to be moved out due to logistical concerns.Here's a look at how the venue looked on the eve of the meet. There is ticketed entry to the event.WHEN AND WHERE TO WATCH THE NC CLASSIC?The NC Classic will get underway at 7 PM IST on Saturday.Star Sports and JioCinema will provide TV and live streaming coverage in India. It will also be streamed on the World Athletics website. You can follow updates at: www.indiatoday.in/sports- EndsMust Watch
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