Full list of athletes confirmed to participate in Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin event

Many big names will participate in the Neeraj Chopra Classic event.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic, jointly organised by Neeraj Chopra, JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics (WA), is set to take place at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium on May 24. Recognised as a Continental Tour Gold level meet under World Athletics ‘A category, the NC Classic is set to be India’s most elite international athletics event to date.

Initially set for Panchkula’s Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Neeraj Chopra’s home state, Haryana, the event was relocated after floodlight issues emerged. The organisers revealed the full list of eight international athletes on Thursday.

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is anticipated to be the marquee name at the NC Classic. However, he will be challenged by a strong field of elite international athletes, setting the stage for a highly competitive showdown. Here’s the list of athletes confirmed to participate in the Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin event.

1. Neeraj Chopra- India

Neeraj Chopra has firmly established himself as one of the greatest javelin throwers in the world. He created history by winning gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and followed it up with a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games.

On the world stage, he will win a silver medal at the 2022 World Athletics Championships, followed by a gold medal in 2023. He also secured the top podium at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

His regional success includes gold medals at the 2016 South Asian Games, 2017 Asian Championships, 2018 Asian Games, and the 2022 Asian Games.

Neeraj reached the pinnacle of the world rankings on May 11, 2023, when he was officially ranked No. 1 globally. His personal best throw of 89.94 meters achieved in 2022 stands as the Indian national record, while his 86.48-meter throw in 2016 remains the world junior record.

2. Anderson Peters- Grenada

Grenadian javelin star Anderson Peters is a two-time World Champion with gold medals in Doha 2019 and Eugene 2022.

Peters also clinched bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics. His success extends beyond the world stage with a Commonwealth Games silver in 2022 and gold at the 2019 Pan American Games. His personal best is 93.07 metres, which is the regional record.

3. Thomas Röhler- Germany

German javelin thrower Thomas Röhler is a former Olympic and European champion. He won the gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics and claimed the gold at the 2018 European Championships in Berlin. He represented Europe and won a gold medal at the 2018 Continental Cup.

His personal best of 93.90 meters, achieved in 2017, ranks among the longest throws in javelin history.

4. Julius Yego- Kenya

Julius Yego has made history by winning gold at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing and became the first African to claim a world title in javelin. Yego also earned a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Julius’ regional dominance is equally impressive, with multiple African Championship titles and gold medals at the 2014 Commonwealth Games and African Games in 2011 and 2019. His personal best is 92.72 metres, which is both the African and continental record, achieved in 2015.

5. Curtis Thompson- USA

Curtis Thompson is the 2023 Pan American Games gold medalist from the USA. He is currently the world leader in the javelin. Thompson’s personal best is 93.90 metres, which he achieved in 2017.

6. Roderick Genki Dean- Japan

Genki Dean is a Japanese javelin thrower with a personal best of 84.28 meters, which he achieved at the 2012 Hiroshima Japan Championships. In 2023, he won the Asian Championships and secured third place at the Asian Games.

7. Luiz Maurício da Silva- Brazil

Luiz Maurício da Silva set his personal best of 85.91 meters in the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, breaking the South American record. This throw secured him a spot in the final, where he qualified in sixth place, which marked the first time a Brazilian has advanced to the javelin throw final at the Olympics.

8. Rumesh Pathirage- Sri Lanka

Rumesh of Sri Lanka won the gold medal at the 2024 Asian Throwing Championships with a personal best throw of 85.45m.

Pakistan’s Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem will be missed in the competition. Despite being invited, he has decided not to participate in the event to prepare for the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in the Republic of Korea.

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram; download the Khel Now Android App or IOS App and join our community on Whatsapp & Telegram