Neeraj Chopra Classic — a milestone moment in Indian athletics
This is India's maiden international javelin competition in a World Athletics Category A meet.
The strong field of 12, which includes co-host and home favourite Neeraj Chopra, consists of elite Olympic and World champions.
For Neeraj, bringing an extravaganza of this magnitude to home shores is a dream come true.
'I feel like I'm in a dream. Medals are a different thing. But I have given something like this to India and Indian athletes. I'm very happy about that. This is the beginning of a new chapter in our athletics,' Neeraj said.
'There are so many international competitions in countries like Germany every week — A, B, C category events. That's what I want here in India, at least four to five world-class meets every year. Our athletes should get these opportunities and the public should watch them live. I never thought such an event would take place. I am at peace... I'm able to give something back to India,' Neeraj added.
The 27-year-old two-time Olympic medallist is set to break all barriers. Tickets, priced between ₹299 and ₹9,999, are selling quickly. There are over 20 sponsors on board for this one-day competition. Such heightened interest has never been seen before for an Indian athletics event.
Neeraj, who at the Doha Diamond League broke the 90m mark for the very first time, is among the favourites to claim the title. By his own admission, Neeraj is distracted with tournament organisation duties. But come Saturday, when the big crowd cheers his every move, Neeraj is bound to produce his best.
Fans can expect serious competition from the likes of Germany's Thomas Rohler (2016 Olympic champion), Kenya's Julius Yego (2015 World champion), USA's Curtis Thompson (2023 Pan American Games champion) and Brazilian powerhouse Luiz Mauricio da Silva.
Sachin Yadav — touted as Neeraj's successor — Rohit Yadav, Sahil Silwal and Yash Vir Singh are the other Indians in the fray.
The NC Classic was shifted to Bengaluru from Panchkula due to floodlight issues at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium. The India-Pakistan tensions also led the event to be postponed.
All these blips will become a mere footnotes once the spears pierce the Bengaluru night sky.
The field: Neeraj Chopra, Cyprian Mrzyglod (Pol), Luiz Mauricio da Silva (Bra), Thomas Rohler (Ger), Curtis Thompson (USA), Martin Konecny (Pol), Julius Yego (Ken), Rumesh Pathirage (Sri), Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, Sahil Silwal, Yash Vir Singh.
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