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The Hindu
08-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Stars give a thumbs up to Neeraj Chopra Classic, India's maiden athletics event of its kind at the global level
The biggest compliment for the Neeraj Chopra Classic (NC Classic) perhaps came from the foreign competitors. Did they enjoy the experience? Yes. Would they like to come back for another edition? An overwhelming yes. The NC Classic brought together some the world's best, in a one-of-a-kind night of javelin excellence. Two-time world championship winner Anderson Peters had pulled out due to an injury, but there were several other big names more than capable of filling the hole. Kenya's Julius Yego was among the world champions on view. Nicknamed 'Mr. YouTube' for learning the sport through watching videos online, Yego was among the favourites. The soft-spoken, burly 36-year-old gave champion and tournament organiser Neeraj Chopra a run for his money with a 84.51m throw in his fourth attempt. Yego's season best was enough to earn him second place. Yego was most pleased with the conduct of the tournament, stating that India is ready to host more world-level events. 'Thank you, Neeraj, for organising such an event. It is truly a big event,' Yego said. 'To have an event like this with a lot of fans in the stadium is something big. World Athletics might now say, 'Okay India, get ready for big things'. I look forward to India hosting many big events like this,' Yego said. Common drive In many ways, Yego is a trailblazer, much like Neeraj. Hailing from a country where javelin is not the most popular sport, Yego's tremendous achievements - golds in the 2015 world championship and 2014 Commonwealth games, silver in the 2016 Olympics, to name a few - has provided a huge boost to the sport in Kenya. Yego spoke about his close relationship with Neeraj, and their common drive to bring javelin throw into the mainstream. 'When my manager informed me that Neeraj wanted me to be a part of this event, I immediately agreed because Neeraj is my friend and I will support him. We both want to make this sport very popular. India is known for cricket. Kenya is known for long-distance running. But when I won a world championship and got a silver in the Olympics, it changed everything in my country,' Yego said. 'And now Neeraj is here. He has completely changed everything with his accomplishments. Not only in India, but across the world,' Yego said. The post-event press conference ended with Neeraj asking Yego a question. 'What are your suggestions to improve the tournament, and did you enjoy yourself?,' Neeraj asked. To much laughter, Neeraj reminded the audience that Yego had a wonderful time in the hotel, dancing to beats from the 'dhol', a drum used in India. Yego replied that he thoroughly enjoyed the hospitality in India. 'I think the organisation was really nice. I enjoyed every bit of this competition - the accommodation, the hotel, the security, the hospitality, the fans inside the stadium,' Yego said. The Kenyan's only suggestion was to expand the scale of the NC Classic by adding more events. 'Maybe next year, if possible, we can have two or three events. I've seen India doing so many long jumps, triple jumps. We can have these events going on at the same time as the javelin. That will be really nice,' Yego said. 'I love the fans here. On my Instagram, I got a lot of messages from Indians. They really cheer me. I tell them, 'You have your own champion who is doing so well. We want you to push him',' Yego added. 2016 Rio Olympics champion German Thomas Rohler entered the field with a stellar reputation. His personal best of 93.90m achieved at the 2017 Doha Diamond League puts him third on the all-time list of men's javelin. Rohler, however, is now easing his way back from a back injury. At 33, Rohler is not in his prime, and this showed at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. With a best of 75.85m on Saturday, Rohler finished 11th in a field of twelve. The poor showing notwithstanding, Rohler enjoyed the overall experience. 'This was a landmark event for javelin. We all need to be thankful for the work that Neeraj has put into this event. We've seen how much joy all these people had in the stadium. It was almost 15,000 people in the stands coming in to cheer us for javelin spears flying far. That is a beautiful thing,' Rohler said. The heavy crosswind made it difficult for Rohler and his rivals to record big throws. Rohler acknowledged the effect that the stiff wind had on a cool Bengaluru night, but did not offer excuses. 'The wind wasn't perfect, but the event was good. It was all about dealing with the wind. You're forced to adjust the angle of attack. From round one to six, the wind direction kept changing. So all the athletes that managed to get the javelin through the wind did better today,' Rohler said. Rohler explained that he will take a 'step by step' approach to making a full recovery from his back injury. 'I'm just enjoying getting out there and competing. Doing everything with a slower pace has worked very well, and now it's about getting back to higher speeds,' Rohler said. Asked what the biggest takeaway was from the NC Classic, Rohler replied, 'The friendship that we had. We all sat together - Olympic champions on one table - and ate Indian food together.' American Curtis Thompson took his time to adjust to conditions, recording throws of 79.35m, 77.24m, 80.84m and 81.50m to take sixth place. Like Rohler, Thompson had trouble with the wind. 'I've seen strong headwind and tailwind in the USA as well. It is just one of those things that you have to work with. It's all about tweaking small things between each throw,' Thompson said. The 2023 Pan American Games champion stated that javelin is a growing sport in the USA, and events such as the NC Classic serves as a template on how to popularise the sport. 'I'm so happy for Neeraj to have so much support. He's done a lot so far, and he has more to accomplish in the future. I'm so glad to see so many fans out here supporting not just Neeraj but javelin as well. This will help grow our sport,' Thompson said. The 29-year-old from New Jersey had a ready answer when asked if he would like to return for another NC Classic. 'Yes, most definitely,' Thompson said.
Time of India
06-07-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Perfect host Neeraj Chopra wins inaugural NC classic
Bengaluru: India's Neeraj Chopra competes in the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 international javelin competition, at Kanteerava Stadium, in Bengaluru, Karnataka. (PTI Photo/Shailendra Bhojak)(PTI07_05_2025_000529A) Bengaluru: Neeraj Chopra responded to the chants of ' Neeraj , Neeraj, Neeraj' as he battled back after a foul on his first throw to etch his name in the winner's list in the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic at the Sree Kanteerava stadium here on Saturday night. The 15000-odd spectators who almost filled up the stands, much like a Bengaluru FC home match in the Indian Super League, went back singing and dancing to the popular numbers of AR Rahman after they watched their favourite star take the gold beating the challenge from former world champion Julius Yego of Kenya. The two good friends went head-to-head as the competition warmed up after the first round which saw Neeraj check his run-up, before fouling his attempt in what looked like a big heave. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Yego, who went in sixth in the list of 12, came up with an effort of 80.07 as he became the first athlete on the day to breach the 80m mark. Brazilian Luiz Mauricio Da Silva improved it to 80.31m but Chopra was last in the order and came up with his first big throw of the night that landed at 82.99m. The illuminated marks on the field were put at 75m and 80m and then it was straight to the World Lead mark of 91.06m by German Juilan Weber. As the swirling head wind challenged some of the best javelin throwers in the business, the first thrower, India's Sahil Silwal, who twisted his ankle earlier, recorded a foul. Yego failed to improve his mark, settling at 79.73m, while Asian silver medallist Sachin Yadav came up with a big one that measured 82.33. Sri Lankan Rumesh Pathirage raised the level of the competition with a heave of 84.34m but Neeraj Chopra was in no mood to leave it late as he nailed the gold with a biggest heave of the day: 86.18m. Yego found his biggest throw of the day on his fourth attempt, as the field reduced to the top 9 after the first three rounds, that measured 84.51m. It was Yego's season's best effort which got him the silver and pushed Pathirage to settle for the bronze with his best of 84.34m. Chopra fouled his fourth and then recorded 84.07m on his penultimate attempt before the top-8 lined up for one last attempt. Neeraj was last in the order again but he had the gold in his pocket even before he went to the start of his run-up as Yego's challenge ended with a sixth round throw of 82.45m. The Indian star still tried to go past his best of the day but it was not to be as he settled for a last round of 82.22m. India's Sachin Yadav (82.33) finished fourth while Yashvir Singh (79.65) finished in eighth place. Rio Olympic gold medallist Thomas Rohler failed to get into the top-8 Results (top-8): 1. Neeraj Chopra (Ind, 86.18m), 2. Julius Yego (Ken, 84.51), 3. Rumesh Pathirage (84.34m), 4. Sachin Yadav (82.33), 5. Cyprian Mrzygłod (Pol, 82.23), 6. Curtis Thompson (USA, 81.5), 7. Luiz Mauricio Da Silva (Bra, 80.31), 8. Yashvir Singh (Ind, 79.65m) Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
India Today
05-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Julius Yego Interview: From Kenya to Bengaluru, for javelin and friendship
In a powerful symbol of global camaraderie and sporting spirit, Julius Yego, the 'YouTube Man' and one of javelin's most inspiring figures, has landed in Bengaluru for the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025. As India hosts its first-ever international javelin tournament at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, the Kenyan legend's presence is more than ceremonial. For Yego, who shares a unique bond with Neeraj Chopra, this is a chance to support a fellow trailblazer and help elevate the sport across regions where javelin once struggled to find former world champion and Olympic silver medallist, Yego's journey from throwing sticks on his father's farm to standing on global podiums remains one of track and field's most remarkable stories. His personal best of 92.72m, which came in 2015, is the 19th best ever in Chopra Classic: Preview Julius Yego (far left) at the Neeraj Chopra Classic. (PTI Photo) In a country synonymous with long-distance running, he carved out space for an ancient sport that few around him understood. Largely self-taught through YouTube tutorials in the absence of coaching infrastructure, Yego's rise was nothing short of revolutionary - for Kenya and for the javelin world at 36, Yego approaches the twilight of his career with hard-earned clarity. He speaks of longevity with humility, acknowledging his past milestones but refusing to let them define his present. Whether or not Los Angeles 2028 becomes his fifth Olympic appearance, Yego's focus remains on giving back—through friendship, mentorship, and helping the next generation witness the sport up close. 'We're not enemies. We're friends,' he says, summing up both his philosophy and the mood this weekend in Classic: All You Need to KnowExcerpts from exclusive interview with Julius YegoQ: Hello, Julius. Welcome to India! You've been here for 2–3 days now. How has your experience been so far?Yego: This is actually my second time in India. The first was back in 2010 during the Commonwealth Games in Delhi. I really like this place—the people, the atmosphere—it's great. The environment is nice and it's also good for training, so yes, I'm enjoying it.Q: What made you say yes to coming for the Neeraj Chopra Classic?Yego: We want to make this sport more popular in our countries. If you look at Neeraj's story and mine, they're quite similar. We come from places where javelin hasn't had much attention. But it's the love for the sport that drives us. The dream is to promote javelin not just in Kenya and India, but also in other countries where it hasn't grown is a good friend of mine, and I want to support him. You never know when you might need that support in return. It's important for us to be here, to bring the sport closer to the younger generation, so they can see world-class javelin throwers live, not just on TV, and get inspired.Q: How did you discover and fall in love with javelin?Yego: I honestly believe I was born for this. Somewhere in my blood, it's written, javelin. It's an ancient sport, one of the original Olympic events from ancient Greece, and I just loved it from the course, the beginning was difficult. There were no proper facilities, and javelin wasn't even a recognized path in sports back home. But I kept pushing. The talent was God-given, and I couldn't ignore it. I started it in Kenya, and I hope in the coming years we'll see more javelin athletes from my country.Q: Is it true that you started throwing sticks on your father's farm as a kid?advertisementYego: Yes, that's true! We started by throwing sticks, but it wasn't about training. It was just kids playing around. It was only in high school that I realised javelin is actually a serious sport. That was around 2004 when I watched the Olympics in Athens and saw Andreas Thorkildsen moment really inspired me. Even though the infrastructure and education system in Kenya didn't support sport much, I began to take it seriously. We used to throw with my brothers and friends in the village, just for fun. We had no idea it would grow into something so big. But that's how it started and I think a lot of athletes begin in a similar way.Q: You're famous for having trained by watching YouTube videos. What advice would you give to young kids who want to pursue javelin?Yego: It's not just about watching. It's about what you do with what you watch. You have to take those videos and apply them. You need today, video analysis is part of our training routine. But if you're just watching for the sake of watching, it won't help. Watch with intent. Learn. Let it shape your technique and discipline. Make it a positive influence on your life, not just Why is there such camaraderie among javelin throwers?Yego: It's something I found when I joined the sport. Athletes like Jan elezn and Andreas Thorkildsen were always open to talking to us, even when we were young and just starting tradition of openness and friendliness is part of the sport. Javelin throwers, and even in other field events like pole vault, you'll see a lot of mutual support. We're competitors, yes, but we're not enemies. Once the competition ends, we go back to being friends. That's how it should be.Q: You're 36 now, still competing at a high level. What's your immediate goal? Are you thinking about 2028 Olympics?Yego: Right now, it's about taking it step by step. I don't want to give myself huge dreams again. I've already achieved a lot: world champion, Olympic silver medalist, appearing in nearly every major championship since 2010. That's a big course, I'd love to make history by reaching LA 2028—that would be my fifth Olympics—but only if my body allows it. Last year, many people didn't even think I'd make the finals, but I was among the top five in the world. The level of competition matters more than just showing up. In 2021, when Neeraj won the Olympics, I believe I was capable of winning, too. So we'll see what the future Finally, what's your message to your friend Neeraj Chopra? Where do you want to see him go in his career?Yego: I wish him all the best. This event has already been a success, and with just a few hours to the competition, I hope it ends on a high wants to throw over 90 metres. We challenged him yesterday—if our bodies still allow us, we'll push him! He's still young, and he has many years ahead. But beyond personal success, it's about making the sport grow—bigger throws, more fans, and more global recognition for javelin.- EndsMust Watch
The Hindu
05-07-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
NC Classic: A test for Neeraj Chopra to control monster throws and a dress rehearsal before the Worlds
The farthest anyone has thrown a javelin in India in a recorded competition is 88.07m. To no one's surprise, it was done by Neeraj Chopra. Back in March 2021, when Neeraj threw that distance at the Indian Grand Prix 3 meet in Patiala, he broke his own national record in the process. Since then, Neeraj has pushed his and India's javelin boundaries so far that his best effort in his homeland doesn't even feature in his top 10 throws. In a glittering career like that of Neeraj's, it is an ever-so-insignificant anomaly. But, on Saturday in Bengaluru, the 27-year-old will have the perfect stage to fix that glitch, at the first-ever Neeraj Chopra Classic, an event co-hosted by himself, set to be the biggest international athletics meet to be hosted by India. But Neeraj was quick to douse expectations of some massive throws from him. 'We will see a good competition. It's a new experience for me and all of you. I would like to say that you don't look at the results and just enjoy the competition. Don't expect too many long throws. Let's just see how much fun it will be,' said Neeraj on Friday during a press meet. A major factor for Neeraj toning down his targets is his preparation run for the World Athletics Championships, set to happen in September. 'Of course, tomorrow's competition is very important, and after that, we will start preparing for the World Championships,' mentioned Neeraj. It also doesn't help that the defending world champion had two back-to-back meets in Paris and Ostrava before he arrived in Bengaluru, where he was swamped by the NC Classic's organisational workload. Nevertheless, Neeraj's competitors are ready to push him to up the ante. 'I'm coming back slowly from a few injuries and. I am almost 90 per cent of my fitness is okay. If I can throw over 85 meters, it will be a good show. And of course, we're trying to challenge him [Neeraj] to throw another 90 meters,' said Julius Yego. Yego, who claimed the World Championship in 2015, has a reason to harp on the 90-metre point, despite Neeraj's underplaying words. Of the 26 javelin throwers to have crossed the hallowed 90m mark, only 10 haven't done it in their own home country. This includes Yego and Neeraj. Among all the 129 recorded javelin throws of 90m or over, 35 have been achieved by an athlete in his home country. This is a substantial amount, considering the global spread of athletics events, indicating the not-so-subtle influence of home advantage on an athlete's performance. Neeraj has made himself scarce in his home territory: NC Classic will only be his second competition appearance in India after his gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. At the Federation Cup in Bhubaneshwar in 2024, Neeraj secured the title with 82.27m, a below-par figure by his astronomical standards. It was a preservation throw of sorts, as he had the 2024 Olympics coming up on his horizon. On Saturday, in front of a crowd he toiled to bring together, Neeraj will have to dig deep into his mental resolve to prevent himself from unleashing one of his monster throws. For once, Indian fans will hope for his determination to falter.
The Star
04-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Athletics-Yego battles to keep javelin's future alive in Kenya
FILE PHOTO: Paris 2024 Olympics - Athletics - Men's Javelin Throw Final - Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France - August 08, 2024. Julius Yego of Kenya in action REUTERS/Kai Pfaffenbach/File Photo (Reuters) -Julius Yego, the former world champion famously known as "Mr. YouTube", faces a lonely battle to preserve javelin's future in Kenya as he prepares for Saturday's Neeraj Chopra Classic with the weight of an entire sport on his shoulders. The 2016 Rio Olympics silver medallist stands as Kenya's sole representative in javelin at World Athletics Championships, a contrast to his country's dominance in distance running that has produced athletes like Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon. "India, of course, being a very big economy, has really been able to help Chopra. I would say maybe the Kenyan story is a little bit different because there isn't much support in the sport as such," Yego told Reuters. "You can see it's only me who is still there. I'm in the last stages of my career and then we haven't got big support as I would want it to happen, but hopefully it will continue. "I can't even push when I'm not there (retired). So I can't even be part of the people who really want to make the change when I'm not active," added 36-year-old Yego, who won the world title in 2015. Coming from countries with less exposure in athletics, Yego finds kinship with Chopra in their shared mission to expand javelin globally. "We want to make the sport grow even bigger because it is a footprint that matters a lot. What we have done so far and what will happen after us, we want the sport to continue even when we are no longer there," the 36-year-old said. With the worlds looming in Tokyo in September, Yego said he was operating at "90% fitness" due to injury concerns and with a couple of months to go before the competition starts, he does not want to rush into anything. The Kenyan also reflected on his country's depth of talent in athletics, praising triple world and Olympic 1,500 metres champion Kipyegon's recent achievements. Kipyegon last month fell short in her attempt to become the first woman to run a mile in under four minutes when she clocked 4:06.42 in a Nike "Breaking4" project that, though faster than her own world record, will not be ratified. "Kenya has big talent, especially in track. Faith's done so well. She's done great in her push to break the four-minute barrier," he said. However, he expressed a particular interest in nurturing "the next generation of javelin throwers." Apart from Yego, Irene Jepkemboi can be his country's next hope in the sport after she became the first Kenyan female athlete to surpass the 60-metre mark in the javelin last month. (Reporting by Suramya Kaushik in Bengaluru; Editing by Ken Ferris)
