Javelin superstar Neeraj Chopra emerges victorious at NC Classic 2025 with a roaring 86.18m throw

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra reigned supreme at the NC Classic 2025 held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on Saturday, July 5. Neeraj Chopra's best throw of 86.18 metres proved sufficient for him to secure victory in the NC Classic. This event marked India's inaugural international javelin competition. Kenya's Julius Yego achieved his best throw of the season, reaching 84.51 metres, which earned him second place in the competition. On the other hand Sri Lanka's Rumesh Pathirage finished third, with his best throw measured at 84.34 metres.

Here is the standings:

1. Neeraj Chopra (India) - 86.18m
2. Julius Yego (Kenya) - 84.51m
3. Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka) - 84.34m

Neeraj not only delivered an exceptional performance as an athlete but also played a significant role as an organizer in the electrifying NC Classic, held at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. A large and enthusiastic crowd filled the stadium, eager to witness Neeraj compete alongside some of the world's top javelin throwers. This unique event certainly lived up to expectations, as the athletes had to contend not only with each other but also with challenging weather conditions.

Under an overcast sky, with cool temperatures around 24 degrees Celsius and windy conditions, the Kanteerava Stadium, though not completely full, resonated with the resounding cheers of the supportive crowd for Chopra. Watched by his family and friends, Chopra received enthusiastic support from the adoring fans with every throw he made in the 12-man competition. The Chief Minister of Karnataka, Siddaramaiah, was also present, observing the competition from the VVIP area.

Chopra faced a minor setback at the beginning, starting with a foul throw. However, he quickly recovered, demonstrating his resilience and skill. In the second round, he took the lead with a throw of 82.99 meters and maintained his position at the top. He faced stiff competition from athletes like Sri Lanka's Pathirage and Kenya's Julius Yego, who consistently came close to Neeraj's best mark.

However, in the third round, the Indian athlete unleashed a spectacular throw that measured 86.18 meters. This mark proved to be unbeatable for the rest of the competition, securing his victory. The event, which was initially planned to be held in Panchkula, was later moved to Bengaluru due to limitations in lighting at the original venue that would have affected live broadcasting.

The NC Classic, granted Category A status by World Athletics, is considered a "dream project" of Chopra, with the aim of establishing India as a reliable host for top-tier athletics events. It had to be rescheduled following the tragic terror attack in Pahalgam, which resulted in the loss of 26 civilian lives, including several tourists.