Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event announced; meet to be held in Panchkula on May

The single-day event at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium will also mark the first time global elite javelin throwers will be competing in India.

World Athletics has announced that Panchkula in Haryana will host the first-ever “Neeraj Chopra Classic” (NC Classic) an international javelin competition on May 24. The competition, which is named after the two-time Olympic medallist from India, will fall in the World Athletics ‘A’ category, which matches the level of Continental Tour Gold competitions.

The single-day event at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium will also mark the first time that elite male and female javelin throwers from across the globe will compete together in India.

New #Javelin Throw tournament "Neeraj Chopra Classic" will debut in India this May. 🇮🇳🤩The international javelin meet will be held at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula, Haryana on May 24 and has been given Category A "GOLD" status by World Athletics. 🙌#Athletics pic.twitter.com/gKNe9XfPiv

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) April 3, 2025

The NC Classic, a continental tour gold level competition, will yield important ranking points and will be an essential qualification event ahead of the World Athletics Championships in, Tokyo, set to take place from September 13-21.

The Continental Tour which was launched in 2020 as the successor to the World Challenge series is the second-tier global athletics series behind the Diamond League and features four tiers: gold, silver, bronze, and challenger.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra’s likely calendar for 2025: Full list of events Javelin ace could participate in

And for Indian fans it will be a chance to see Neeraj Chopra competing at Home Soil. The Paris Olympics silver medallist, who already has secured his spot at the World Athletics Championships as the reigning world champion, last competed on home soil at the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition in Bhubaneswar 2024, where he threw 82.27m during his build-up to the Paris Olympics.

Neeraj Chopra’s 2024 Season                                                          

Chopra’s 2024 campaign was consistent to say the least. India’s elite javelin thrower was part of the podium in each competition that he competed in.

The Tokyo gold medalist started his season at the Doha Diamond League on May 10, finishing second with 88.36m, just 2cm behind Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch (88.38m).

On May 15, competing in India for the first time since becoming Olympic champion in Tokyo, Chopra claimed gold at the Federation Cup with 82.27m. He continued his preparation for Paris with a victory at the Paavo Nurmi Games on June 18, throwing 85.97m.

Also Read: What is Neeraj Chopra’s diet plan? All you need to know about two-time Olympic medalist’s meal

Chopra quickly established himself at the Paris Olympics in qualification by posting a season-best 89.34m throw, which comfortably beat the direct qualification mark of 84m. He won the silver medal in the final with an 89.45m throw on his second attempt. Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem won gold, breaking the Olympic record with a 92.97m throw.

Also Read: Neeraj Chopra’s top five throws in 2024 season

Chopra went on to become the fifth individual multiple Olympic medalist from India and the only person to win both gold and silver. Chopra wrapped up his 2024 season at the Lausanne Diamond League on August 24 finishing with a second place and season-best at 89.49m. He has not yet started his 2025 season and will be his first appearance at the Doha Diamond League on May 16 before returning for NC Classic.

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