“Fifteen thousand people only for a spear is unique. To be honest, I have never seen something like that,” said Olympic gold medalist Rio Thomas Rhler Indianay.in, still in the atmosphere in Bengalur’s Sree Kanterava Stadium.
“Amazing,” added Keni’s Julius Yego. “Before I even tossed the best, I joined the entertainment with the crowd. I came with the best throwing season. I’m going home happy.”
Talk about how wrong with your foot. The only wrong step Neer Chopra took on Saturday came moments after his opening throw when he briefly lost his position. In addition to this lone slip, it was flawless.
The opportunity was not ordinary meetings. It was the classic Neer Chopra, the first Indian international javelin and his namesake was immediately a stellar attraction and head of the orchestra, juggling roles with ease and urgency of the multitasker gene Z.
Finally, a dream developed for a long time. In 2016, after scripting Olympic history in Tokyo, Neeray first introduced the organization of first -class events on Indian soil. With every overseas competition from – from quiet training camps in Europe to the flood stadiums of global championships – he improved his craft. He also quietly made notes, learning how the best events are introduced, not just thrown.
Neer Chopra classic was the return of ambition and Bengalur remembered the night. Carnival, which will be talked about for years around the world.
The Sree Kanteerava stadium was wrapped in rafters. 14.593 went through the gates to create a night historical-accumulation participation in the track and field in India. The passionate crowd of Bengaluru, from schoolchildren with wide eyes to seasoned and gray, did not only come to encourage Neera.
Of course, the loudest roar was reserved for him. But this audience has made him an experience of life for every athlete. When Jan Zelezna, the legendary World Record holder and Neeraj’s coach, came out during heating, was welcomed by a stormy reception.
Yego soaked admiration on the way to silver. Sri Lanka Rumesh Tharang, only 22, danced and smiled on the stage and the heart of the crowd.
With the winning throw of 86.18 meters, Neera culminated the field Dusing Olympic medalists, the brightest Indian talents and international stars.
If you want to see his name on the banner and the long-term dream he revived, not only in the triumph in the field, but in the energy of the stalls, he had to be a double pleasure. For the debut edition that grew so high, it was as soon as incredible and mixing.
“What we wanted is to get athletics so much support. It was so good,” Neeraj said. “This is a reward for the hard work of athletes.” Courtesy: JSW Sports Media
The most encouraging look? Young athletes at the stalls, watch carefully, quietly dreams.
Among them were Raanjan Vijayan, 80m obstacle and Sanath Shety, a cross -country runner. Both athletes under the age of 16 from Karnataka sat two on stands, wide -eyed and hopeful, imagining a future where thousands would also ring for them, because the global scene bore Indian colors.
They were not alone. Throughout the stands, young candidates watched the actions unfold, make notes, strengthen ambitions, put years in dreams. The classic Neera Chopra has already become more than a meeting in its first edition. It became a movement.
Let this be another reminder: it is no longer fair to lament that India is only a cricket mad country. When sport is supplied with heart, perfection and authenticity, Indian fans will appear – not only watch, but celebrate and promote.
And celebrate that they did. Because the moment was undoubtedly, the Indian gold boy.
Pressure of hosting
“There was pressure, another kind of pressure,” Neeraj said after Indiana.in after an evening of a carnival similar.
“I didn’t just like it as an athlete – I was worried about how things were organizing. Even the slightest delay bothered me.”
“But in the end everything went well. The crowd was fantastic. The athletes enjoyed the atmosphere. And I also won. I felt so good,” he added.
Did you notice it? His victory came as a footnote – a line of discarding in the middle of the reflection of logistics, hospitality and experience of the athlete. This is the kind of host who wanted to be Neera.
Every action in the last week has told the same story. Neeraj arrived early in Bengalur, fresh from June, where he competed in Paris and Ostrava. He met the participating parties from the Karnataka government, spent time with sponsors, fulfilled commercial obligations, and in some way carved time for training. The schedule wasn’t turning around. He was spinning around the mission.
The organizer before the competitor
Neera Chopra won gold in Neeri Chopra Classic! (PTI photos)
On Saturday, half an hour before the official warm -up, the organizer was already on the pitch. He went through the land, spoke to volunteers and scanned every centimeter of the settings. Short yog, partial heating and inspection components, gave him a feeling for the field. It was clear: he had a mental checklist that he was supposed to check before becoming an athlete.
Even then, this switch never turned completely. While the neer athlete became the center, the organizer remained silently alert. His eyes were not just on the scoreboard – they were at the event as a whole and on the other 11 athletes who invited to share with him.
At one point, he noticed the defects in the mini-automobil’s transfer of the spear back to the track after each throw.
“Only small things were concerned,” he said. “For example, the car that brought the spears was a little slow. As athletes, we want them to return quickly to the rhythm. I even thought – maybe we should run and get them alone!”
This is also the thinking of the champion, tuned to accuracy, attentive to the smallest detail and does not want to let anything disrupt the effort for excellence.
But he didn’t stop there.
At a press conference after the event he changed his roles again – this time the reporter played. He grabbed the microphone and turned to the silver medalist Julius Yeg, which reflected both humility and real curiosity.
“Was everything all right for you?” he asked. “Are you one of the highest athletes, you traveled around the world. Could you share advice?”
Yego grinned. “What should I say? Everything was nice.”
Neera, versatile – athlete, host, organizer and now interviewer – was a revelation. Likewise, the classic was Neeri Chopra.
– ends
Published:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
6 July 2025
