In a room full of some of the best spears that the world has ever seen, Neeri Chopra leaned slightly forward, looked at the media, and almost said, “I feel like I’m in a dream.”
And in many ways he was.
Classic Neera Chopra is the embodiment of the long -term dream of Chopra. When Neera saw wrapped stalls in cities like Tokyo, Paris, Doha and Lausanne, he longed for something similar at home. Now he has brought top competitors to India and offered the younger generation the opportunity to enjoy a reflector who was so often heated.
On Saturday, July 5th, this dream will be captivated at the Bengalur’s Sree Kanterava stadium with an electric list of international and Indian talent, the official world athletic golden state and a promise more in the future.
“This is the beginning of the new chapter in our athletics,” Chopra said on Friday in Bengalur in Bengalur. “Medals are another thing. But I gave India and Indian athletes something like that. I’m very happy about it.”
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The stage of the dream
Julius YEGO, Thomas Rohler, Neeri Chopra and Sachin Yadav in Bengalur (NC Classic Photo)
The stage symbolism could not be ignored. Next to Chopra, the German Olympic gold medalist Thomas Rhler and Julius Yego from Kenya, former world champion and Olympic silver medalist Rio sat. These are the icons themselves that inspired Neera Chopra when the boy of Panipat still learns by spear watching videos on YouTube.
Next to them, Sat India’s rising star, Sachin Yadav, Asian Athletic Silver Championship, who looked visibly moved to share the stage.
“I couldn’t believe I got a message from Neera Bhai,” Sachin said. “Thank you very much Neera Bhai for inviting me to this competition. I was excited to play here.
For Sachin and really all developing Indian throws, the classic Neer Chopra is a monumental reflective stone.
“First I want to thank you, Julius, Thomas and everyone else from the heart of India,” Chopra said. “Everyone is my friends and thank you very much for coming. In the end we sit here with such great throwers. I am very happy that such an event is happening in India.”
The reaction was equally encouraging. YEGO and RHER were pleasantly surprised when they went to a press conference full of Indian journalists, as evidenced by Javelin’s growing popularity.
Mega stars, local scene
The event brings together a stellar international line -up of twelve elite spears, flavored and rising: Rhler, YEGO, USA Curtis Thompson, Martin Konny in Češina, Sri Lanka, among others.
When Chopra and his JSW Sports team approached them, most of them said yes without hesitation. Javelin, like many track and field disciplines, is powered by a firmly confined support community. Former World Champion Anderson Peters was originally ready to compete, but had to withdraw due to the last minute injury. The Indian Kishore Jena was also.
Chopra also invited his friend and rival, Arshad Nad Pakistan, before the tragic terrorist attack in Pahalgam forced a change of plans.
“When my manager informed me about this event by Neer Chopry, another thing I said was,” Yes, I have to go to India because Chopra is my good friend, “Yego said.
“The rest is history.”
For Rohler, who is returning to sport, there was an opportunity to support the Chopra initiative and compete with young Indian athletes irresistible.
“I always like to share, because only when I share, I get communication. I can leave a trail. And for me, distances, medals and all these things are just numbers on paper. I like to trace the sport.
“I know I also had an impact on these careers. So it’s just beautiful to see. And that’s exactly the track that makes me as happy as the Olympic champion.”
Rohler, who has been engaged in injuries in recent years, has gradually returned to form. With the World Championship in September, he firmly grabbed every chance to try himself.
“We got a meeting quite early in the season. I was glad,” Yes, I’ll do it. “Because for me it is quite a special annual developmental back on the larger stages after years of problems and injuries.
Neera’s vision
Neera Chopra on the eve of NC Classic in Bengalur (NC Classic Photo)
Although the classic name bears its name, Chopra quickly recognized the ecosystem that made it possible for JSW Sports to a wide base of sponsors and proactive support for world athletics, the Indian Olympic Association and Karnataka Olympic Association.
“The support I receive from all of the government, from IOA, from the World Athletics, from sponsors-me to feel that we can even improve this event,” he said.
Neeri Chopra’s classic arrives at the key moment when India is slowly building his athletic infrastructure. Chopra hopes that this event will be the first of many and determine the tone for future growth.
His Olympic medals have already improved the name of India into a global javelin map.
Now he wants the same scope and regularity of competitions that athletes enjoy in Europe.
“This is the beginning of international competitions in India,” he said.
“As we can see, there are so many international competitions every week in Germany and such nations-categories-B, C, etc. And there are so many international competitions every week.
“So that’s what I want in India because there should be at least 4, 5, 6 competitions that are world classes. Athletes should have a chance and people should see them. It will be very good for our sport.”
Eyes set on the price
Despite playing the role of the organizer, Chopra remains strongly focused on its own performance. While he is admitted to several logistics and promotional duties, the athlete remains unharmed.
With the World Championship scheduled for September, NC Classic has become a key Pitstop in Neera’s road to Tokyo.
“The athlete is always upstairs (for the competition),” he said. “That’s why I’m trying to do everything. My team also manipulates so many things. But the athlete is always upstairs in me.
Shared dream
More than just the vision of Chopry, the classic is now a shared dream: the one who holds Indian athletes like Rohit Yadav, Ulhil Silwal and Yashvir Singh, and transmitted global icons who believe the spear can reach new corners of the world.
At the end of the press conference, Neeraja was thinking about the meaning of the moment. The pride on his face was unmistakable.
“I’m very glad that it is finally happening,” he said.
“I was in the gym yesterday and I saw other athletes throw (in Bengalur), and that was my dream. I will say again I never thought it would be such an event. I never thought I would represent India and win the medal.
On Saturday evening in Bengalur, when spears fly and crowd watches, the dream Neej Chopry will finally feel real, on home ground and promises a better future
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Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
4th July 2025
