Neeraj Chopra Classic Javelin Throw Event Set for May 24 in Panchkula

Synopsis

Neeraj Chopra, the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist, will organise the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event at Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana, on May 24, confirmed by World Athletics. This significant event aims to become an annual fixture in the athletics calendar.

Key Takeaways

Neeraj Chopra is the event organiser.
The event will take place on May 24 at Tau Devi Lal Stadium.
It is classified as a World Athletics ‘A’ category event.
Top global javelin throwers will compete.
It serves as a qualification event for the World Championships.

New Delhi, April 3 (NationPress) Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra will take on the role of an organiser with the debut edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw competition, which is confirmed to take place at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana, on May 24, as announced by World Athletics on Thursday.

Designated as the NC Classic, this single-day javelin throw meet is recognised as a World Athletics ‘A’ category event, comparable to a Continental Tour Gold-level competition in ranking points. The Continental Tour, initiated in 2020 as a successor to the World Challenge series, comprises four tiers - gold, silver, bronze, and challenger.

With the two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, who clinched gold at the Tokyo Olympics and followed it with a silver in 2024, the NC Classic 2025 will witness prominent javelin throwers from around the globe competing in India for the first time.

This marks the largest javelin throw event ever hosted in India and will be coordinated by Neeraj Chopra in collaboration with JSW. The organisers aim to establish it as an annual event on the World Athletics calendar.

The NC Classic 2025 will also act as a significant qualification opportunity for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from September 13 to 21, although Chopra, the reigning world champion, has already secured his place, according to a report on Olympics.com.

Recently, India hosted the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi last month and is gearing up for its inaugural Para Athletics World Championships in September-October.

Furthermore, a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze-level meet, under the Indian Open banner, is scheduled for August 10 in Bhubaneswar as part of India’s 2025 athletics season.

This will mark Neeraj's initial event in the country this season. His last appearance on home soil was at the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition in Bhubaneswar last year, where he achieved a throw of 82.27m in preparation for the Paris 2024 Olympics.