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Hindustan Times
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Neeraj Chopra awaits new beginning with NC Classic
Bengaluru: Athletes went about their routines as a cool breeze swept through Kanteerava Stadium, a result of Bengaluru being hit by rain over the past few days. A bunch of animated basketball players were on court in near darkness close to a massive cut-out of Neeraj Chopra announcing the Neeraj Chopra Classic that will take place on Saturday. Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra. (PTI) Chopra, the two-time Olympic medallist, world champion and India's pride in global athletics, has played a vital role in bringing a 'gold category' World Athletics event to India and giving young Indian javelin throwers an opportunity to compete against some of the world's best. The list of competitors here include Germany's 2016 Olympic champion Thomas Rohler, Kenyan 2015 world champion Julius Yego and USA's Curtis Thompson (87.76m), who is second in the field after Chopra (90.23m) as leading throwers of this season. The late withdrawal of two-time world champion Anderson Peters has come as a disappointment but there are hundreds of fans who are excited to witness world-class javelin action with Chopra headlining the line-up. India's elite athletes have often complained about the dearth of international events at home which has forced them to go abroad for exposure and experience. Chopra himself followed that path years ago. It was in foreign countries that he learnt how to prepare, handle pressure, and overcome big-stage nerves. Now, as an established international athlete, Chopra has the wherewithal to make that journey easier for other Indian athletes. He has been quick to make a beginning this season and has been closely following the organisational aspect of NC Classic. 'I hope our athletes will gain from this experience of competing alongside top international competitors,' he said on Thursday at a felicitation function organised by the Karnataka Olympic Association. 'We are going to add more events in the coming years so that our athletes who do well at the global level also get a chance in India to compete among other quality athletes.' While organising the event has kept him busy, Chopra has also taken time out for his training. A busy season has also been a successful one with Chopra having breached the 90m barrier at the Doha Diamond League. He has been in back-to-back competitions. This will be his third in close proximity after Paris Diamond League and Ostrava. He knows fans would be eager to watch some big throws from him. 'The toughest part in training. We got very little time to train. I competed in Paris and Ostrava and then travelled to Bengaluru, so I will try my level best. We also had to arrange everything here. ' said Chopra. 'I am feeling very good, the way the preparations are going. I am very happy. I thank the Karnataka government, sports department, Karnataka Olympic Association for helping me to organise an event at such short notice and ensuring the stadium meets international standards. The biggest reason to do it in Bengaluru is that it is a very good city and the weather is good. The biggest goal is to make this event even bigger,' said Chopra, who also met Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah. The success of the event will go a long way in bringing international events to India where athletics is still not big. Chopra though has been harbinger of change. Talk to athletes from any discipline at the venue and they know Chopra's credentials. However, it will still be a challenge to fill the 25,000-capacity stadium. 'Athletics is still not popular and people rarely follow,' says Sharandeep, a Karnataka state sprinter who trains at the Kanteerava. 'We compete in national and state meets here in front of empty stadiums. With Neeraj Chopra competing there will be a good crowd but will it be enough to fill the stadium, can't say? 'I am eager to know how Neeraj and other international athletes prepare before a competition. What do they do during their competition? We never get to watch international athletes in India and it will be a big learning for us. ' It will be same for Rohit Yadav, one of India's top throwers who will compete here. Rohit has taken part in World Championships but said he was excited to speak to Rohler. 'I like his style. He is not a power thrower and yet so good. I have a similar technique and to be alongside him and learn will be a big experience for me.'
NDTV
04-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Ahead Of NC Classic, Neeraj Chopra's Defining Demand In Athletics: "What I Want In India..."
Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is living a dream of competing in a javelin event that bears his name and believes that it is start of something significant in Indian athletics which now needs multiple world class events. The Neeraj Chopra Classic, which will feature top-class athletes, is set to take place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday. Chopra said he will try to upscale the event in the coming years. "I feel like I'm in a dream. Medals are a different thing. But I've given something like this to India and to Indian athletes. I'm very happy about that. This is the beginning of a new chapter in our athletics," Chopra said in a pre-event press meet here Friday. "The support I'm getting from everyone. From the government, from KOA (Karnataka Olympic Association), from World Athletics, from the sponsors… I feel like we can make this event even better." Chopra said he wanted to make the athletic competitions in India comparable to the events which are held regularly in the traditional powerhouses like the USA or European nations. "This is the beginning of international competitions in India. As we see, there are so many international competitions in Germany and such nations - A category, B, C etc and every week, there's a competition. "So, this is what I want in India, as there should be at least 4, 5, 6 competitions which are world class. The athletes should get a chance and people should see them play. That will be very good for our sport," he explained. While he is very much involved in the conduct of the event, the star athlete said he has not diverted his focus from acing an elite field here on Saturday, and keeping his preparation on track for the upcoming World Championships. "The athlete in me is always up (for the competition). That's why I'm trying to manage everything. My team is also handling so many things. But the athlete in me is always up. I'm training hard," he said. "After doing everything, I train. I did throw sessions, too. So, yes. I have a mindset for that ahead of tomorrow's competition." While winning the event that has been named after him remains his immediate priority, Chopra is aware that he has a bigger challenge coming his way in the World Championships in Tokyo in September. The ace Indian javelin thrower said he has his eyes firmly set on the blue riband event. "Of course, tomorrow's competition is very important and after that we will start preparing for the World Championships. I'm very happy to be here with the coach (Jan Zelezny). Yesterday, I was training in the gym with the coach. This is the kind of competition that will be the target ahead of the World Championship," he noted. Beyond the personal glory moment, Chopra was also excited to see a world class event taking place in India. "I'm very happy that this is finally happening. I was at the gym yesterday and I saw other athletes throwing and that has been my dream. I will say it again that I never thought there would be an event like this. "I never thought I would represent India and win a medal. All that has happened. Now, there's peace in my mind that something like this is happening." (Except for the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is published from a syndicated feed.)
News18
04-07-2025
- Sport
- News18
Neeraj Chopra On Getting His Namesake Event: 'I'm In A Dream...'
Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is on the cusp of realising a personal dream, competing in a javelin event christened in his honour. He views the 'Neeraj Chopra Classic" not just as a personal milestone, but as the dawn of a significant new chapter for Indian athletics, one that he hopes will usher in an era of multiple world-class competitions within the country. The Neeraj Chopra Classic is scheduled to unfold at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, featuring a lineup of top-tier athletes. Chopra himself has expressed a commitment to elevating the event's stature in the years to come. 'I feel like I'm in a dream," Chopra stated at a pre-event press conference 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. This is the beginning of a new chapter in our athletics." He added, 'The support I'm getting from everyone. From the government, from KOA (Karnataka Olympic Association), from World Athletics, from the sponsors… I feel like we can make this event even better." Chopra articulated a clear vision: to see India host athletic competitions on par with those regularly held in traditional powerhouses like the United States and European nations. 'This is the beginning of international competitions in India," he asserted. 'As we see, there are so many international competitions in Germany and such nations – A category, B, C etc. and every week, there's a competition." 'So, this is what I want in India, as there should be at least 4, 5, 6 competitions which are world class. The athletes should get a chance and people should see them play. That will be very good for our sport," he explained. 'The athlete in me is always up for the competition," Chopra declared. 'That's why I'm trying to manage everything. My team is also handling so many things. But the athlete in me is always up. I'm training hard." For Chopra, the event transcends personal glory; it represents the realisation of a long-held aspiration for Indian sport. 'I'm very happy that this is finally happening. I was at the gym yesterday and I saw other athletes throwing and that has been my dream. I will say it again that I never thought there would be an event like this. 'I never thought I would represent India and win a medal. All that has happened. Now, there's peace in my mind that something like this is happening."
Time of India
04-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Neeraj Chopra Classic: 'This is the beginning of a new chapter' - Chopra's emotional leap for Indian athletics
Neeraj Chopra India's Olympic and World Champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra expressed heartfelt pride and optimism as he prepares to compete in the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic on Saturday at Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium - a landmark event named in his honour. For Chopra, the event isn't just about competition; it's about catalysing a new era for Indian athletics. "I feel like I'm in a dream," Chopra said at the pre-event press conference on Friday. "Medals are a different thing. But I've 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." Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Chopra emphasised that the event represents more than personal recognition - it's a platform to provide Indian athletes the same kind of exposure their counterparts in Europe and the USA enjoy. Poll How important do you think events like the Neeraj Chopra Classic are for the future of Indian athletics? Very important Somewhat important Not important Unsure "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 or five world-class meets every year. Our athletes should get those opportunities, and the public should watch them live. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Get ₹2Cr life cover@ ₹700 p.m. ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo That will be very good for our sport," he said. Despite the pressure of organising the meet, Chopra confirmed his readiness to compete, saying, "The athlete in me is always up. I've been training hard even with all the responsibilities. My team is handling many things, but I still managed to get my throwing sessions done." He also acknowledged the role of Karnataka Olympic Association, sponsors, and World Athletics in bringing the event to life. "The support I'm getting is overwhelming. We can make this even better in future editions," he added. Chopra remains focused on his biggest test of the year - the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo. "Tomorrow is important, but my target remains the World Championships. I'm training with coach Jan Zelezny and everything I do now is part of that preparation," he concluded. 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.
India Gazette
04-07-2025
- Sport
- India Gazette
Neeraj Chopra thanks Karnataka govt for support to NC Classic 2025
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 4 (ANI): Double Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra lavished praise on the Government of Karnataka, the Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA) and the Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports for their continuous support to the Neeraj Chopra Classic -- an iconic moment for Indian athletics, and the country's first-ever international marquee javelin competition. Set to take place at Bengaluru's Sree Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday, July 5, 2025, the event is co-organised by Neeraj himself in association with JSW Sports, and sanctioned by World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). The competition has also been awarded Gold Level status by World Athletics, the global governing body of the sport -- a recognition of its scale and significance, as per a press release from AFI. In preparation for the event, the stadium has undergone a substantial revamp. Seating across several stands has been refurbished, corporate and VVIP boxes have been installed in the North Stand, and a pitch-side hospitality zone has been set up to provide fans with an up-close view of the runway and infield action. An entertainment stage has been created in the South Stand, while the main turf has been freshly re-laid to ensure optimal performance conditions for athletes. Speaking at a press conference organised by the KOA and the DYES ahead of the marquee event, Neeraj Chopra said, 'I would like to thank the Government of Karnataka, the KOA and the DYES for playing such a key role in ensuring the stadium meets international standards. Their efforts have enabled us to provide world-class facilities for the athletes and an enriching experience for the fans. A lot of hard work has gone into the revamp, and I'm especially grateful to Honourable Chief Minister Siddaramaiah sir, Dr K Govindaraj sir and all the officials involved. This will be a memorable event for all.' Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah added: 'The Government of Karnataka has lent its complete support to the Neeraj Chopra Classic from the moment we were approached about the possibility of hosting the event. It is a matter of great pride that India's most successful Olympic athlete is bringing a world-class athletics competition to India, and that the state of Karnataka will play its part of what I am certain will be a sporting revolution in the country. I have met Neeraj and assured him of our full backing to ensure this competition becomes the benchmark of sporting events in the country.' The Neeraj Chopra Classic promises to be a thrilling spectacle -- a celebration of Indian sporting excellence, hosted in the heart of Bengaluru. K. Govindaraj, MLC and President, Karnataka Olympic Association, said, 'The Karnataka Olympic Association (KOA) and the Department of Youth Empowerment & Sports (DYES) have been working tirelessly to support the success of the Neeraj Chopra Classic right from the outset. We met the Chief Minister this morning to apprise him about how the preparations are shaping up, and he assured us of his support in every aspect of the event. 'We have undertaken the upgradation and sprucing up of the stadium, including the pitch, in order to deliver a world-class experience to both the athletes and the spectators. The KOA and the DYES are proud to host and support Neeraj Chopra who has been the torchbearer for Indian track and field on the global stage, and we are certain the event will be of the highest standards,' he added. (ANI)
