NEW DELHI: Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra thrilled a packed crowd of over 14,500 spectators as he claimed gold at the Neeraj Chopra Classic with a throw of 86.18 meters. The event, held on Saturday, was India’s first major international field competition, featuring 12 top javelin throwers from around the world.
Chopra finished ahead of former world champion Julius Yego, who secured silver, and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage, who took bronze. The competition marked a significant step in Chopra’s long-standing mission to boost interest in athletics across India and give local talent international exposure.
Speaking after his victory, Chopra emphasized that the event aimed to uplift Indian athletes. “We got the best javelin throwers to this competition,” he said. “The biggest goal was to help Indian throwers grow by competing alongside world champions.”
The event followed a three-round format, allowing six throws per athlete and narrowing the field to eight after the first round. Among five Indian participants, three advanced to the next stage, outperforming international names like former Olympic gold medallist Thomas Rohler.
Chopra also praised fellow Indian javelin thrower Sachin Yadav, who delivered a strong performance with a best throw of 82.33 meters. “Sachin twisted his ankle during his first throw but still did well,” Chopra noted. “He and others have time on their side and will continue to improve.”
Looking ahead, Chopra expressed his desire to expand the event. “We plan to add more events to the competition in the future. This platform will help Indian athletes get better opportunities,” he said, urging fans once again to support track and field sports in the country.