SportsPosted at: Jul 5 2025 10:53PM


Hosting an event tougher than competing: Neeraj

Bengaluru, July 5 (UNI) Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra clinched the gold medal with a powerful 86.18m throw at the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, held at the buzzing Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru. But beyond the medal, it was the emotional and organisational weight of the occasion that the champion called his toughest challenge yet.
“Being a host was tougher than being an athlete. It felt like preparing for an exam — with training, travel, and responsibilities piling up. But I still managed to throw well. I think all of this made me stronger,” Neeraj said in a candid post-event interaction.
In a first-of-its-kind international javelin event hosted in India and named after him, Neeraj balanced the dual roles of star competitor and lead organiser. “Some days I was training 7–8 hours, travelling, and also making sure the event ran smoothly. I kept reminding the team: ‘We have to perform too.’ I’m very happy we pulled it off.”
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