India is poised to host its first-ever international javelin competition, the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, a landmark event organized by JSW Sports in collaboration with the Olympic and World Champion, Neeraj Chopra.
Scheduled for July 5, 2025, at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, this competition is set to significantly elevate India’s standing on the global athletics stage.
Sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and World Athletics (WA), the Neeraj Chopra Classic will be the highest-tier international athletics meet ever held in India. It boasts the prestigious World Athletics ‘A’ category or Continental Tour Gold-level designation, a testament to its significance in the international athletics calendar.
The campaign for the event features an impassioned message from Neeraj Chopra himself, highlighting the profound importance of bringing such a high-calibre competition to his home country. “Once upon a time, there was a dream that our flag would soar high, proudly in front of the world. Even today, the dream remains the same, but the stage has changed. Now, our flag must rise on its own soil, among its own people, where the world will witness a rising India. The Neeraj Chopra Classic is not just a competition; it’s where every javelin doesn’t just land on the ground but writes history. Watch the world’s best javelin throwers compete on the same ground, chasing a new crown,” stated Chopra, articulating his dream of seeing the Indian flag soar high on home soil.
JSW Sports, a key driving force behind India’s sporting growth, emphasized its commitment to fostering world-class opportunities and raising the standards of track and field events nationwide. The organization reiterated that the Classic aligns perfectly with its vision to maximize India’s sporting potential and establish the nation as a global sporting powerhouse. Beyond the elite competition, the event also aims to inspire a new generation of Indian athletes and enthusiasts, with Chopra expressing his hope that parents will bring their children to witness elite global talent competing live.
The inaugural Classic promises a star-studded 12-member field, showcasing a formidable lineup of both international and domestic javelin giants. Leading the charge will be India’s own reigning Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra. He will be joined by a host of global luminaries, including two-time world champion Anderson Peters (Grenada), Olympic gold medalist Thomas Rohler (Germany), 2015 world champion Julius Yego (Kenya), Curtis Thompson (USA), Genki Dean (Japan), Luiz Mauricio da Silva (Brazil), and Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka). India’s contingent will also feature top talents like Kishore Jena, Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, and Sahil Silwal.
The event’s journey to Bengaluru saw a couple of adjustments. Originally slated for May 24, 2025, in Panchkula, Haryana, it was initially relocated to Bengaluru due to lighting issues at the initial venue. Subsequently, the date was rescheduled to July 5, 2025, out of solidarity and in consideration of national security during cross-border tensions.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic represents a pivotal moment for Indian athletics, bringing a world-class competition to the heart of the nation and aiming to ignite a new era of excellence and inspiration in the sport.
