Neeraj Chopra Classic: Some classic duels in the offing
Milestone moment in Indian athletics as top
javelin throwers
line up with
Neeraj Chopra
BENGALURU: The famous image of a javelin thrower hitting his delivery stride, which is the logo of the Neeraj Chopra Classic, will come alive at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday night when world champion and world No.
1 Neeraj Chopra faces a quality field at the inaugural edition of the event.
Athletics fans — who are set to fill the stadium in big numbers — can expect to watch some quality action featuring big throws that will surely set alight the night. The start list provides a high-quality field with five of the top-10 from the season's toppers in action. Chopra, who is enjoying his double role as the master of ceremonies and star attraction of the meet, will face a tough challenge from his international rivals led by American Curtis Thompson (87.76m) who is third this season behind second-placed Chopra (90.23m).
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The world-class field also features Brazilian Luiz Mauricio Da Silva (5th in the season's list) who threw 86.62m in Paris on June 20, Poland's Cyprian Mrzyglod with an 85.92m put him in seventh place and Sri Lankan Rumesh Pathirege who in 10th place with his 85.41 which he threw at the Perth Classic in March. Add to the mix the two legends — Rio Olympic champion Thomas Rohler of Germany and 2015 world champion Julius Yego of Kenya.
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'All competitors are currently doing well and a few have done their personal bests this season. Fans will get to see a high-quality competition. We have throwers from Brazil and Poland who are in good form. This a first-time experience for me and for all the Indian fans. My take is not to focus too much on the results but to enjoy the competition. I'm not expecting many big throws; instead, it's going to be a great evening with all the world-class athletes in action,' Chopra told reporters here on Friday.
Top competitors and close friends
Kenyan star Yego, who along with Chopra ended the European domination in javelin throw, said the field would push Neeraj for another big throw. 'The level of competition in javelin has grown. That means when you want to win a major championship, you have to throw 90 metres. For me, I'm back to 90 percent of my fitness. I'm slowly building up for the World Championships which is two months away.
If I can throw 85m then it will be a good show.
Of course, we'll try to challenge him (Neeraj) to throw another 90m. We are all friends and cheer each other during competitions. When there are good throws, that's what sets the day and it's not who loses,' Yego outlined.
German legend Rohler emphasised the bonding between the throwers who compete at the highest level. 'In javelin and many field events, we are a team out there.
We help each other and even share javelins. This is the first time India will get to see an international-level javelin competition. I think it's going to be special for the competitors, friends and fans,' Rohler pointed out.
Joining Chopra in action as the flag bearer of rising Indian stars would be Asian championship silver medallist Sachin Yadav. The 25-yearold, who has an SB of 85.16m, said it was a dream come true to receive the message from Chopra inviting him to the NC Classic.
'I couldn't believe it when I got an invite from Neeraj bhai. I get to compete with the world's best, that too in India,' Yadav said.
The Indian superstar said he is getting ready for a hectic day for — Chopra the host and Chopra the champ. 'It's going to be a new experience for me. Till now, I just had to train and compete but here even when the food was a bit spicy, I was thinking about whether it would be too spicy for the international athletes,' Neeraj said in Hindi before translating it to English.
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