The javelin world will turn its attention to Bengaluru’s Sree Kanteerava Stadium on July 5, 2025, as the Neeraj Chopra Classic returns after getting rescheduled earlier.
With a stacked field featuring Olympic champions, world medallists, and rising Indian throwers, this event promises to be one of the most significant standalone javelin competitions globally.
Organized by Neeraj Chopra himself in partnership with JSW Sports and approved by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the event is not just a meet — it’s a celebration of javelin and the stature the discipline has achieved in India, thanks largely to Chopra’s global exploits.
Final Roster Revealed: A Power-Packed Line-up
The finalized 12-man roster includes five Indian and seven international throwers, with just one change from the originally announced line-up. Japan’s Genki Dean, an Asian Games bronze medallist, has been replaced by Martin Konecny from the Czech Republic. The full roster is as follows:
Indian Athletes
- Neeraj Chopra 🇮🇳 – Olympic champion, World champion, and national icon
- Kishore Jena 🇮🇳 – 2023 World Championships finalist and Asian Games silver medallist
- Rohit Yadav 🇮🇳 – Returning from injury, once clocked over 83m
- Sachin Yadav 🇮🇳 – Rising star with consistent performances on domestic circuit, Asian Championship Silver in 2025
- Sahil Silwal 🇮🇳 – Promising youngster with personal best over 80m
International Athletes
- Anderson Peters 🇬🇩 – Two-time world champion (PB: 93.07m)
- Thomas Röhler 🇩🇪 – 2016 Olympic gold medallist (PB: 93.90m)
- Julius Yego 🇰🇪 – 2015 World Champion (PB: 92.72m)
- Curtis Thompson 🇺🇸 – US national champion (PB: 87.76m)
- Luiz Mauricio da Silva 🇧🇷 – South American powerhouse (PB: 86.34m)
- Rumesh Pathirage 🇱🇰 – Sri Lanka’s top javelin prospect (PB: 85.45m)
- Martin Konecny 🇨🇿 – Solid European competitor replacing Genki Dean
Event Rescheduled With Renewed Energy
Originally slated for May 24, the event was postponed due to security considerations and out of respect for ongoing national matters. Now set for July 5, it gives athletes an even better timeline as a build-up to the second half of the international season — with World Continental Tour events and World Championships qualification races intensifying.
“Bringing the Neeraj Chopra Classic back this quickly has taken an enormous collective effort, and we’re happy to confirm its return on July 5,” said Karan Yadav, Chief Commercial Officer at JSW Sports, in a statement to PTI.
“The unwavering support from the AFI, the Karnataka Olympic Association, the Government of Karnataka, and our partners made this possible. The energy around this event is bigger than ever, and we’re set to deliver a celebration of javelin that’s bolder, better, and even more unforgettable,” he added.
India’s Five Represent: Eyes on Neeraj and Jena
While Neeraj Chopra needs no introduction, all eyes will also be on Kishore Jena, who has grown into a formidable force since his 2023 breakthrough. His silver at the 2023 Asian Games and strong outings in 2024 cemented his place as India’s No. 2 javelin thrower.
The Classic also marks the return of Rohit Yadav, who missed much of 2024 due to an elbow injury. Meanwhile, Sachin Yadav and Sahil Silwal are eager to prove they can consistently breach the 80-metre mark under pressure.
Chopra’s Competitive Path: Golden Spike to NC Classic
This year’s calendar has been carefully designed by Neeraj Chopra and his team. Before landing in Bengaluru, Chopra will compete at the Golden Spike meet in Ostrava on June 24, one of Europe’s top athletics meetings. With just 11 days separating the two events, Chopra is expected to use Bengaluru as his final tune-up before the World Championships.
In 2024, the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic set the tone with strong domestic presence, but this year’s field has taken it several notches higher. By bringing in Olympic medallists and World Champions, the event now truly reflects India’s ambition to be at the heart of global athletics.
Why the NC Classic Matters
The Neeraj Chopra Classic is not just a domestic competition — it’s a statement of intent. That India can host world-class events independently of global federations, draw elite fields, and create packed stadiums around a single discipline is a testament to the rise of athletics culture in the country.
This meet also gives younger Indian athletes a golden opportunity to share the field with the best in the world — an experience that’s rare and priceless in their development.
Additionally, fans in India get to witness world-class throwing action live, with ticketing and broadcast details expected to be announced soon.
The 2025 Neeraj Chopra Classic is a bold reminder of how far Indian athletics has come. What was once a single athlete’s journey has now become a shared celebration — of sporting excellence, ambition, and inspiration.
From Röhler’s fluid throwing style to Peters’ raw power and Yego’s unmatched experience, Bengaluru will witness a clash of styles and strengths — with the towering figure of Neeraj Chopra at the centre of it all.
Mark your calendars: July 5 at Sree Kanteerava Stadium. A javelin classic awaits.
