Neeraj Chopra to Host World-Class Javelin Meet at Home Turf

For the first time, India will host a top-tier global javelin event featuring Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, as Panchkula’s Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex gears up for the Neeraj Chopra Classic on May 24. This World Athletics Category A event is a historic moment for Indian athletics, finalized after extended talks between World Athletics (WA) and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

This will be Chopra’s first competition on Indian soil in over a year, his last outing being at the Federation Cup in May 2024. The elite one-day meet is expected to feature top international javelin throwers, offering fans a rare spectacle of world-class competition on home ground.

AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo confirmed the event, saying details are being finalized. Chopra, who clinched silver at the Paris Olympics and last competed at the Brussels Diamond League, has been recovering from a groin injury. He resumed training in South Africa in November and has since been under the mentorship of Jan Zelezny, world record holder and Olympic legend.

The event is particularly symbolic for Chopra, who trained extensively in Panchkula during his junior days. He expressed pride in bringing a global-level javelin meet to India, calling it a dream come true.

The WA president, Sebastian Coe, has also extended his support for the initiative, marking a significant boost for athletics in the country.

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