Did Neeraj Chopra Fulfill His Dream of Giving Back to India with NC Classic?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Neeraj Chopra expressed gratitude to supporters and contributors to the event.
- The Neeraj Chopra Classic successfully showcased top athletic talent.
- Chopra's victory was marked by an impressive throw of 86.18m.
- Engaging atmosphere at the event thrilled thousands of attendees.
- Chopra aims to inspire future athletes through such initiatives.
New Delhi, July 8 (NationPress) Neeraj Chopra, often referred to as the Golden Boy of Indian athletics, has expressed his long-held desire to give back to his nation for the unwavering support he has received in his quest for gold on the field. He believes that this dream has materialized through the Neeraj Chopra Classic.
The 27-year-old clinched victory at the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, a prestigious World Athletics gold-level event, achieving an impressive throw of 86.18m at the Sree Kanteerva Stadium on Saturday.
“I owe my gratitude to many - from family and friends to officials and organizations. For now, I’d like to keep it straightforward. My aspiration to give back to my country has been realized with the Neeraj Chopra Classic.
Winning the event was extraordinary, but the journey of organizing it was even more fulfilling.
“A heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to making this happen. To the athletes who traveled from afar, we will strive to improve next time. And to all who attended at the Kanteerava - this was truly one of the most exhilarating atmospheres I’ve experienced while engaging in my passion,” stated the two-time Olympic medalist.
Kenya’s Julius Yego secured the second position with a season-best throw of 84.51m, while Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage finished third with a throw of 84.34m.
Chopra was greeted by a roaring crowd of 14,593. After beginning with a foul, he took the lead with a second attempt of 82.99m. He then thrilled the Bengaluru audience with his best throw of the evening, 86.16m, on his third attempt. Following a foul on his fourth attempt, he recorded 84.07m on the fifth and concluded the event with a throw of 82.22m.
Chopra kicked off his season by winning the Potch Invitational Meet in Potchefstroom, South Africa, in April, followed by a second-place finish at the Doha Diamond League, where he shattered the 90m barrier with a throw of 90.23m, setting a new Indian national record.
He subsequently earned a second place at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial in Poland, followed by a victory at the Paris Diamond League last week, where he secured top honors with an 88.16m throw and at the Ostrava Golden Spike 2025 athletics with 85.29m.