Neeraj Chopra (left) and Arshad Nadeem won the silver and gold medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.
Neeraj Chopra is one of those living legends who got a major international athletics event named after him. The World Athletics confirmed the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event earlier this month. This is the highest level of athletics event in India.
"It was a dream for me to have a competition named after me. I always used to wonder if any event like this was possible in India and now that it is finally happening – it feels unreal," Neeraj said at a virtual press conference on Monday.
The NC Classic, which was initially to be held in Panchkula, Haryana, has been shifted to Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru.
Not only will the Olympic gold and silver medal-winning javelin thrower compete in the event, scheduled to be held at Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on May 24, he also has a big responsibility. Being the face of Indian athletics and javelin throw, Neeraj, who won gold in the Tokyo Olympics and silver in the Paris Olympics, will also be the ambassador of the event, inviting the best of the field to compete at the World Athletics ‘A’ category event, equating to a Continental Tour Gold-level competition.
'Not confirmed'
On Monday, Neeraj confirmed that he invited Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem, the Paris Olympics gold medallist with an Olympic record-making throw of 92.97m, to compete at the event.
"I have invited Arshad (Arshad Nadeem) for this event," Neeraj confirmed. "He has not confirmed but we have invited him. The government will also be involved in this," he said.
Neeraj and Arshad are known as fierce rivals on the field. At the Paris Olympics, Neeraj, who won the Tokyo gold with a throw of 87.58m, finished behind Arshad to settle for the silver medal. Arshad was way ahead of the field. Arshad clinched Pakistan's first-ever Olympic gold with a monstrous 92.97m throw. Neeraj settled for the silver with his 89.45m throw.
At the 2018 Asian Games, Neeraj and Arshad shared the podium again. But on that occasion, Neeraj won the gold while Arshad got the silver.
'I will be competing'
Neeraj, who opened his 2025 season by winning the Potchefstroom Invitational in South Africa with an impressive 84.52 metres throw on April 16, has already confirmed that he would compete at the event.
"I will also be competing in this. This event will take place in Bangalore and I have spoken to the Karnataka CM and he’s very positive about this event. We will make it successful," he vowed.
Neeraj is currently preparing for the Doha Diamond League, scheduled for May 16. The NC Classic, right after the DL event, is expected to create buzz in India.
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