Tokyo Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra is set to step into the role of organiser for a major athletic event as he announces the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw competition. The prestigious one-day meet, confirmed by World Athletics on Thursday, will take place at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana, on May 24, 2025. This event marks a significant milestone in India’s athletic history, as it is the largest javelin throw competition ever to be held in the country.
The Neeraj Chopra Classic will be classified as a World Athletics ‘A’ category event, a designation that places it on par with the Continental Tour Gold-level competitions in terms of ranking points. The Continental Tour, which was introduced in 2020 as the successor to the World Challenge series, is a second-tier global athletics series beneath the prestigious Diamond League. This tour features four categories—gold, silver, bronze, and challenger—with the ‘A’ category in which the NC Classic falls being one of the most highly regarded levels in the competition.
As the reigning Olympic champion, Neeraj Chopra’s involvement in the event only adds to the excitement surrounding it. Chopra, who won a historic gold medal in javelin throw at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, followed by a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is regarded as one of the best javelin throwers in the world. His influence and expertise will ensure that the NC Classic 2025 attracts top-tier competitors from across the globe. It will be the first time that international javelin throwers will compete in India at such a high level, providing a major platform for the sport in the country.
The event, which is set to be a regular fixture in the World Athletics calendar, will not only feature some of the top javelin throwers from around the world but will also serve as a crucial qualification opportunity for the upcoming World Athletics Championships, set to take place in Tokyo from September 13 to 21, 2025. Although Neeraj Chopra has already secured his qualification for the championships, the NC Classic will offer other athletes a vital chance to earn their place at the prestigious competition. This adds another layer of significance to the event, with athletes eager to compete for a spot in one of the most anticipated global athletics meets.
The NC Classic is a collaboration between Neeraj Chopra and JSW, marking a new chapter in the development of athletics in India. The organisers are determined to make this event an annual fixture, contributing to the country’s growing presence in international athletics. The involvement of JSW, a leading corporate partner, further reinforces the event’s stature and importance in the global athletics scene. With Chopra’s leadership, the event is expected to be a major success and provide a tremendous boost to the sport of javelin throw in India.
In recent months, India has made significant strides in the world of athletics. Just last month, the country hosted the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in New Delhi and is preparing to stage its first-ever Para Athletics World Championships in September-October. Furthermore, the country will host a World Athletics Continental Tour bronze-level event under the Indian Open banner in Bhubaneswar on August 10, 2025, as part of India’s expanding athletics season.
The NC Classic will be Neeraj Chopra’s first home competition of the season. His last appearance on Indian soil was at the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition in Bhubaneswar in 2024, where he threw an impressive 82.27m, building towards the Paris 2024 Olympics. This upcoming event in Panchkula is expected to be a key moment in his journey toward defending his Olympic title and continuing his dominance in the sport.
