The Preparations are complete for the NC Classic 2025. This event, which is India’s inaugural World Athletics Category ‘A’ Competition, is taking place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, signifying a significant milestone in the history of Indian athletics. The organization of this event is a collaborative effort led by Neeraj Chopra, in partnership with JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics. Additionally, the event will showcase an impressive roster of athletes, including Thomas Rohler, Luiz Mauricio da Silva, and numerous other prominent participants.
The event was not a typical gathering javelin event in India, where the namesake served as both the main attraction and chief organizer, managing his responsibilities with the sill and immediacy characteristic of a Gen Z multitasker.
A long-cherished dream has finally come to fruition. It was in 2016, following his remarkable achievement at the Olympics in Tokyo, that Neeraja first imagined the possibility of hosting a world-class event in India. Since then, with each international competition he participated in – from the serene training camps across Europe to the brightly lit stadiums of global championships – he has been honing his skills. In addition, he has been quietly observing, taking notes on how the finest events are organized, rather than merely executed.
The Sree Kanteerava Staduium was filled to capacity. A total of 14,593 individuals entered the venue, marking the night as historic – an impressive attendance for a track-and-field event in India. The enthusiastic crowd from Benguluru, ranging from wide-eyed schoolchildren to the experienced and elderly, did not merely gather to support Neeraj.
Naturally, the most resounding cheers were dedicated to him. However, this crowd transformed it into a unforgettable experience for each athlete. When Jan Zelezny, the iconic world record-holder and coach of Neeraja emerged during the warm-up session, he received an overwhelming ovation.