Neeraj Chopra learns to balance javelin training with conduct of world class event

You cannot but admire India’s top athlete Neeraj Chopra’s candid admission that he has needed to develop new skills to balance his own training in the World Athletics Championships year with the work for the conduct of the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru on May 25 this year. 

Neeraj Chopra is clear that the outcome of his efforts will be very positive. “It is a bit uncomfortable but it is so in a good way. I am sure that the athletes and the athletics fans will enjoy it,” he told an online media interaction, facilitated by JSW Sports, on Monday.  It is just as well that the event is in May, three and a half months before the World Championships. 

He spoke of wanting to do things outside his comfort zone. “It was challenging to begin with, but I am enjoying the ability to go beyond training. They say if you have to achieve something different, you need to get out of your comfort zone. I am personally deeply involved in the planning of the event. From the depths of my heart, I want it to be a world class event,” he said.

He revealed that initially he was invested in the Neeraj Chopra Classic. “I was keen that it happen in Haryana and was greatly involved, but now we decided to host it in the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. I am able to focus more attention to my training,” he said, unabashedly excited that his dream of brining world class event home is coming true.

“I have spoken with the Karnataka Chief Minister and have received a positive response. The JSW team has offered great support to try and make it an enjoyable experience for everyone, the athletes and the fans,” he said. “We want the international athletes to enjoy the famous Indian hospitality.”

Neeraj Chopra pointed out that since the Sree Kanteerava Stadium is the home of JSW’s ISL football team, Bengaluru FC, a lot of the organisational pressure was off his shoulders. “I have been a bit more relaxed after the decision to shift the event to Bengaluru was made,” he said, admitting that he had not been able to focus as much on training when planning for Panchkula. 

For long, Neeraj Chopra has been speaking of the need to get world class athletes to compete in India. As a fixture on the global circuit who is well-respected and widely loved, he has seen the impact of fan support in each venue. It was natural that he longed to compete in a top-notch event at home.
 
He spoke of how a conversation with his present coach Jan Zelezny helped the idea of the Neeraj Chopra Classic in keeping with how the Mondo Classic celebrates pole vaulter Mondo Duplantis and the Keely Classic honours Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson’s Olympic Games 800m victory in Paris 2024. 

“It is tough to believe that this is all coming together,” he confessed with child-like candour, unafraid of being judged. “When I started sport, I had no idea that I would represent India, let alone win Olympic and World Championships medals. But gradually, it did cross my mind that it would be nice to be able to compete in a world class event in India. I am very excited.” 

The event was originally planned for the Tau Devil Lal Sports Complext in Panchkula where he learnt the rudiments of javelin throwing. But the requirements of World Athletics and broadcasters meant that the Neeraj Chopra Classic had to be shifted to Bengaluru. He masked his  disappointment at being unable to host it in his home State.