India's poster boy and dubbed as ‘The Golden Arm’ one, Neeraj Chopra clinched the trophy of the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 with a sensational throw of 86.18m in front of a packed Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium on Saturday (July 5). Julius Yego came in at second with a throw of 84.51m and Rumesh Pathirage came in at third with a best throw of 84.34m.&nbsp;Neeraj Chopra entered the field with a standing ovation from the crowd and thunderous round of applause, one which reverberated around the city of Bengaluru. As he got &nbsp;ready for his run up, the crowd held its breath and applauded even though his first throw was a foul. As he stepped up for his second throw, the entire stadium backed him with chants of Neeraj Neeraj Neeraj and he didn't disappoint as he threw 82.99m. His third throw was even better at 86.18m as he did his iconic celebration with both his hands in air and screaming in passion. His fourth throw was a foul. His fifth throw was at 84.07m.&nbsp;Notably, this was also the first time that Neeraj Chopra's grandfather Dharm Singh Chopra, was also watching his grandson compete live from the stand. Prior to the competition, the crowd cheered as the players came out on the field for warm-up. With each javelin going in the air, the crowd's applaud only got higher and higher. The elite line-up included Sahil Silwal, Rohit Yadav, Martin Konecny, Thomas Rohler, Yash Vir Singh, Julius Yego, Sachin Yadav, Rumesh Pathirage, Cyprian Mrzyglod, Luiz Mauricio Da Silva, Curtis Thompson and Neeraj Chopra.&nbsp;&nbsp;Earlier in the evening, outside the Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru, the wind carried both a breeze and a buzz. Young fans lined up early, eyes wide with anticipation, waiting to catch a glimpse of their javelin heroes. Neeraj Chopra’s jerseys were flying off the stalls like hot cakes, the tricolour fluttered proudly in many little hands, and chants of "Neeraj! Neeraj! Neeraj!" were already starting to rise.&nbsp;Local dance and music troops brought the stage alive with energetic performances, turning the entry gates into mini-festivals. The atmosphere in Bengaluru felt different — electric yet grounded, festive yet reverent. It wasn’t just children who were excited; entire families had shown up and teenagers with face paint. It was as if the city had paused its usual rhythm to come together for a sporting celebration.&nbsp;Inside the stadium, it was no different. The stands were a sea of blue and saffron. Kids stood up on their seats, proudly waving the Indian flag. And when Neeraj Chopra stepped onto the field, time seemed to hold its breath — until, all at once, the silence cracked open into a thunderous roar. The name echoed again and again: Neeraj. Neeraj. Neeraj.&nbsp;This wasn’t just sport. This was emotion. This was India showing up for one of its own.

Phenomenal Neeraj Chopra clinches NC Classic 2025 title

India's poster boy and dubbed as ‘The Golden Arm’ one, Neeraj Chopra clinched the trophy of the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 with a sensational throw of 86.18m in front of a packed Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium on Saturday (July 5). Julius Yego came in at second with a throw of 84.51m and Rumesh Pathirage came in at third with a best throw of 84.34m. Neeraj Chopra entered the field with a standing ovation from the crowd and thunderous round of applause, one which reverberated around the city of Bengaluru. As he got ready for his run up, the crowd held its breath and applauded even though his first throw was a foul. As he stepped up for his second throw, the entire stadium backed him with chants of Neeraj Neeraj Neeraj and he didn't disappoint as he threw 82.99m. His third throw was even better at 86.18m as he did his iconic celebration with both his hands in air and screaming in passion. His fourth throw was a foul. His fifth throw was at 84.07m. Notably, this was also the first time that Neeraj Chopra's grandfather Dharm Singh Chopra, was also watching his grandson compete live from the stand. Prior to the competition, the crowd cheered as the players came out on the field for warm-up. With each javelin going in the air, the crowd's applaud only got higher and higher. The elite line-up included Sahil Silwal, Rohit Yadav, Martin Konecny, Thomas Rohler, Yash Vir Singh, Julius Yego, Sachin Yadav, Rumesh Pathirage, Cyprian Mrzyglod, Luiz Mauricio Da Silva, Curtis Thompson and Neeraj Chopra. Earlier in the evening, outside the Sri Kanteerava Outdoor Stadium in Bengaluru, the wind carried both a breeze and a buzz. Young fans lined up early, eyes wide with anticipation, waiting to catch a glimpse of their javelin heroes. Neeraj Chopra’s jerseys were flying off the stalls like hot cakes, the tricolour fluttered proudly in many little hands, and chants of "Neeraj! Neeraj! Neeraj!" were already starting to rise. Local dance and music troops brought the stage alive with energetic performances, turning the entry gates into mini-festivals. The atmosphere in Bengaluru felt different — electric yet grounded, festive yet reverent. It wasn’t just children who were excited; entire families had shown up and teenagers with face paint. It was as if the city had paused its usual rhythm to come together for a sporting celebration. Inside the stadium, it was no different. The stands were a sea of blue and saffron. Kids stood up on their seats, proudly waving the Indian flag. And when Neeraj Chopra stepped onto the field, time seemed to hold its breath — until, all at once, the silence cracked open into a thunderous roar. The name echoed again and again: Neeraj. Neeraj. Neeraj. This wasn’t just sport. This was emotion. This was India showing up for one of its own.

Neeraj Chopra entered the field with a standing ovation from the crowd and thunderous round of applause, one which reverberated around the city of Bengaluru

In an era where cricket dominates every stretch of India’s sporting landscape, javelin quietly made history under the skies of Bengaluru. The inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic isn’t just another athletics meet — it is the beginning of something deeper, more powerful. For the athletes, the fans, and for Neeraj himself, this isn’t just a competition; it is a movement.&nbsp;“I never even dreamt of something like this,” Neeraj said during a press conference on Friday (July 5), his voice steady but eyes betraying emotion. “I never thought I’d represent India, win a medal, and then see something like this happen… in India.”&nbsp;Neeraj wasn’t alone in his sentiment. 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego and 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Thomas Rohler sat beside him, echoed similar hopes — that javelin, often seen as a niche sport, now had a chance to shine in countries where it was once sidelined.&nbsp;“You say Kenya isn’t popular for javelin? Well, now it is,” Yego said with a smile. “India was cricket-first, but look at this — javelin is coming up, and it’s only going to grow," he added.&nbsp;Yego's right. The sight of global champions assembling in Bengaluru to compete — not at the World Championships or Olympics, but at an Indian-organised event dedicated solely to javelin — is something surreal. The Classic issn’t just about distance or records. It is about visibility, community, and planting the seeds for future generations.&nbsp;Thomas Rohler, who has long been more than just a champion thrower but also a mentor through his popular YouTube channel, reflected on this larger vision. “After Neeraj became the best in the world, this was the next logical step,” he said. “Bringing the sport to people not just through screens, but live, right in front of their eyes," he added. His videos, he said, have reached villages across India. “I get messages from kids throwing sticks on dusty fields — it’s beautiful. They’ve only seen javelin on the internet, and now, we’re here — bringing it to them.”&nbsp;Neeraj, for his part, is balancing dual roles — competitor and organiser. “The athlete in me is always up,” he said, brushing off questions about fatigue. “Even today I trained. This is the dream I had — throwing here, with others throwing beside me, in India. That it’s finally happening is emotional.”&nbsp;The logistical hurdles weren’t small. The event had been rescheduled once, some athletes withdrew, and funding questions lingered. But Neeraj was clear: “For now, it’s not about business models. Our focus is to make this successful. That’s it.”&nbsp;India’s next-gen star — Sachin Yadav sat on stage, nervous but determined. “This is a huge opportunity,” Sachin said. “To compete with legends, in India, is something else. Yes, there’s pressure. But I am going to give my best.”&nbsp;And while the spotlight was on India, the vision was global. “You never know,” Yego said. “Next year, maybe Kenya will host a javelin-only event. Or Germany. It’s all possible now.”&nbsp;And so, as Bengaluru is all set to host its first international javelin-only competition, the stage is set for more than medals. This is India saying: we belong here. This is the sport saying: we’re just getting started. And this is Neeraj Chopra proving, once again, that gold isn’t just something you wear — sometimes, it’s something you give back.

I never even dreamt of something like this says Neeraj Chopra

In an era where cricket dominates every stretch of India’s sporting landscape, javelin quietly made history under the skies of Bengaluru. The inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic isn’t just another athletics meet — it is the beginning of something deeper, more powerful. For the athletes, the fans, and for Neeraj himself, this isn’t just a competition; it is a movement. “I never even dreamt of something like this,” Neeraj said during a press conference on Friday (July 5), his voice steady but eyes betraying emotion. “I never thought I’d represent India, win a medal, and then see something like this happen… in India.” Neeraj wasn’t alone in his sentiment. 2016 Rio Olympic silver medallist Julius Yego and 2016 Rio Olympics gold medalist Thomas Rohler sat beside him, echoed similar hopes — that javelin, often seen as a niche sport, now had a chance to shine in countries where it was once sidelined. “You say Kenya isn’t popular for javelin? Well, now it is,” Yego said with a smile. “India was cricket-first, but look at this — javelin is coming up, and it’s only going to grow," he added. Yego's right. The sight of global champions assembling in Bengaluru to compete — not at the World Championships or Olympics, but at an Indian-organised event dedicated solely to javelin — is something surreal. The Classic issn’t just about distance or records. It is about visibility, community, and planting the seeds for future generations. Thomas Rohler, who has long been more than just a champion thrower but also a mentor through his popular YouTube channel, reflected on this larger vision. “After Neeraj became the best in the world, this was the next logical step,” he said. “Bringing the sport to people not just through screens, but live, right in front of their eyes," he added. His videos, he said, have reached villages across India. “I get messages from kids throwing sticks on dusty fields — it’s beautiful. They’ve only seen javelin on the internet, and now, we’re here — bringing it to them.” Neeraj, for his part, is balancing dual roles — competitor and organiser. “The athlete in me is always up,” he said, brushing off questions about fatigue. “Even today I trained. This is the dream I had — throwing here, with others throwing beside me, in India. That it’s finally happening is emotional.” The logistical hurdles weren’t small. The event had been rescheduled once, some athletes withdrew, and funding questions lingered. But Neeraj was clear: “For now, it’s not about business models. Our focus is to make this successful. That’s it.” India’s next-gen star — Sachin Yadav sat on stage, nervous but determined. “This is a huge opportunity,” Sachin said. “To compete with legends, in India, is something else. Yes, there’s pressure. But I am going to give my best.” And while the spotlight was on India, the vision was global. “You never know,” Yego said. “Next year, maybe Kenya will host a javelin-only event. Or Germany. It’s all possible now.” And so, as Bengaluru is all set to host its first international javelin-only competition, the stage is set for more than medals. This is India saying: we belong here. This is the sport saying: we’re just getting started. And this is Neeraj Chopra proving, once again, that gold isn’t just something you wear — sometimes, it’s something you give back.

Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, co-organised by two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and JSW Sports, and sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India, marks a major leap forward for Indian athletics

'I never even dreamt of something like this', says Neeraj Chopra on organising NC Classic 2025

Thomas Rohler is no stranger to pain. The German javelin thrower, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has spent years chasing, achieving, and recovering from the sport’s most elusive number — 90 metres. Now in Bengaluru to take part in the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, Rohler brings with him not just medals and technique, but a grounded, honest perspective about what it really takes to hit that mark — and why the world often misunderstands it.&nbsp;Rohler reflected on the toll a 90m throw takes on the body and the mind. "Any 90m throw has a huge impact on the body," he said while talking to WION. “Once you throw 90m, the next thing you’re going to do is rest. Because the impact is high.” It’s not a dramatic exaggeration."&nbsp;Rohler explains that the force exerted during the final block phase of the throw is equivalent to having the weight of a small car—roughly a ton—on the block foot. “People need to understand… this is not yoga,” he said with a mix of sarcasm and seriousness. “It’s really tough.”&nbsp;It’s an apt description of a sport that often looks graceful but is, at its core, a controlled act of violence. The thrower must sprint with speed, position their leg with precision, and unleash energy through their body in a split second—all while avoiding injury. Rohler, like many in the sport, has battled injuries and setbacks throughout his career. But the physical toll is only one part of the equation.&nbsp;What happens after a 90m throw, he suggests, is just as taxing. “Doing it again and again is a mental challenge,” he explained. “It’s about dealing with the pressure from the outside.” Once an athlete breaks the 90m barrier, expectations grow. The 33-year-old, with a smile, admits even he fell into that trap. “I also did it very often. We all mess up with the expectations.”&nbsp;The German further went on to talk how perceptions have shifted in recent years. “We need to look back to 2012 London Olympics. You won the Olympic Games with a 84m throw” Rohler recalled. “Now people expect you to throw 90m. If you don’t do it, people ask, ‘Was it a bad day?’” His frustration isn’t with ambition, but with unrealistic expectations—especially from those who may not understand just how rare and magical a 90m throw is.&nbsp;And rare it is. In the long history of the sport, only a small handful of men have ever thrown beyond 90m. Rohler compares it to the very top tier of cricketers. “If you look at a cricket team, all these top players… if we talk about the top-top-top players, it’s the same like comparing to 90m of javelin,” he said. “It’s still magical.”&nbsp;For the German, that magic is what the sport needs to hold on to. The number itself shouldn’t become routine or expected. “There’s only a few moments in life you get the chance to achieve it as an athlete,” he said. “But also to see it as a spectator.”&nbsp;As the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 is set to take place in Bengaluru on July 5, Thomas Rohler's presence is a reminder that even in a sport driven by distance, wisdom still carries the farthest. And if he’s teaching anything this week, it’s that chasing greatness is never effortless, and never should be taken for granted.

WION Exclusive Its magical but it hurts Rio Olympics gold medalist Thomas Rohler on living the 90m life

Thomas Rohler is no stranger to pain. The German javelin thrower, who won gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics, has spent years chasing, achieving, and recovering from the sport’s most elusive number — 90 metres. Now in Bengaluru to take part in the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, Rohler brings with him not just medals and technique, but a grounded, honest perspective about what it really takes to hit that mark — and why the world often misunderstands it. Rohler reflected on the toll a 90m throw takes on the body and the mind. "Any 90m throw has a huge impact on the body," he said while talking to WION. “Once you throw 90m, the next thing you’re going to do is rest. Because the impact is high.” It’s not a dramatic exaggeration." Rohler explains that the force exerted during the final block phase of the throw is equivalent to having the weight of a small car—roughly a ton—on the block foot. “People need to understand… this is not yoga,” he said with a mix of sarcasm and seriousness. “It’s really tough.” It’s an apt description of a sport that often looks graceful but is, at its core, a controlled act of violence. The thrower must sprint with speed, position their leg with precision, and unleash energy through their body in a split second—all while avoiding injury. Rohler, like many in the sport, has battled injuries and setbacks throughout his career. But the physical toll is only one part of the equation. What happens after a 90m throw, he suggests, is just as taxing. “Doing it again and again is a mental challenge,” he explained. “It’s about dealing with the pressure from the outside.” Once an athlete breaks the 90m barrier, expectations grow. The 33-year-old, with a smile, admits even he fell into that trap. “I also did it very often. We all mess up with the expectations.” The German further went on to talk how perceptions have shifted in recent years. “We need to look back to 2012 London Olympics. You won the Olympic Games with a 84m throw” Rohler recalled. “Now people expect you to throw 90m. If you don’t do it, people ask, ‘Was it a bad day?’” His frustration isn’t with ambition, but with unrealistic expectations—especially from those who may not understand just how rare and magical a 90m throw is. And rare it is. In the long history of the sport, only a small handful of men have ever thrown beyond 90m. Rohler compares it to the very top tier of cricketers. “If you look at a cricket team, all these top players… if we talk about the top-top-top players, it’s the same like comparing to 90m of javelin,” he said. “It’s still magical.” For the German, that magic is what the sport needs to hold on to. The number itself shouldn’t become routine or expected. “There’s only a few moments in life you get the chance to achieve it as an athlete,” he said. “But also to see it as a spectator.” As the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 is set to take place in Bengaluru on July 5, Thomas Rohler's presence is a reminder that even in a sport driven by distance, wisdom still carries the farthest. And if he’s teaching anything this week, it’s that chasing greatness is never effortless, and never should be taken for granted.

WION Exclusive | It’s magical, but it hurts': Rio Olympics gold medalist Thomas Rohler on living the 90m life

As Bengaluru gears up for the much-awaited Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist javelin thrower Julius Yego in an exclusive chat with WION offered candid insights into the grueling demands of the sport, the evolving competition, and what makes India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra special.&nbsp;When asked about breaching the elusive 90m mark, Yego didn’t romanticise it.He said, “You can never prepare yourself to throw over 90m. It just comes by itself,” he said. “And when it comes, the most difficult part is to maintain it," he added.&nbsp;He recalled how his first 90m throw in 2015 during the 15th IAAF World Championships, National Stadium, Beijing, left his body in shock. “I was struggling to throw even 80m afterwards. Luckily, if you’re not injured, it can come back. But it takes a lot out of the body — physically and in ways you don’t even understand.”&nbsp;Yego pointed to rare examples of consistency, citing Czech Republic's Jan Zelezny and Germany's Johannes Vetter. “Even Vetter has struggled. It shows how tough it is on the body. You’re lucky if you stay injury-free.”&nbsp;With Neeraj Chopra recently joining the elite 90m club, Yego believes global javelin has entered a new phase. “Earlier, it was mostly Eastern Europe. Now it’s India, Africa, the Caribbean, everywhere,” he said. “I believe to win a World Championship or Olympic gold now, you’ll have to throw over 90m. The level has really grown.”&nbsp;On what makes two-time Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra really special, Yego was full of praise. He said, “His flexibility and speed are his biggest assets. If he keeps those strong, he’ll do well for a long time. He’s a super-talented athlete. You just have to accept that.” As for what makes a 90m throw possible — technique or power — Yego was quick to clarify. He replied, “It’s everything. Technique plays a bigger role, but it has to be combined with power, speed, and a very strong mental state. You can’t plan a 90m throw. You get on the runway with good technique — the distance comes on its own.”

Exclusive You cant prepare to throw 90m It just happens says 2016 Olympics silver medalist Julius Yego

As Bengaluru gears up for the much-awaited Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, 2016 Rio Olympics silver medalist javelin thrower Julius Yego in an exclusive chat with WION offered candid insights into the grueling demands of the sport, the evolving competition, and what makes India’s Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra special. When asked about breaching the elusive 90m mark, Yego didn’t romanticise it.He said, “You can never prepare yourself to throw over 90m. It just comes by itself,” he said. “And when it comes, the most difficult part is to maintain it," he added. He recalled how his first 90m throw in 2015 during the 15th IAAF World Championships, National Stadium, Beijing, left his body in shock. “I was struggling to throw even 80m afterwards. Luckily, if you’re not injured, it can come back. But it takes a lot out of the body — physically and in ways you don’t even understand.” Yego pointed to rare examples of consistency, citing Czech Republic's Jan Zelezny and Germany's Johannes Vetter. “Even Vetter has struggled. It shows how tough it is on the body. You’re lucky if you stay injury-free.” With Neeraj Chopra recently joining the elite 90m club, Yego believes global javelin has entered a new phase. “Earlier, it was mostly Eastern Europe. Now it’s India, Africa, the Caribbean, everywhere,” he said. “I believe to win a World Championship or Olympic gold now, you’ll have to throw over 90m. The level has really grown.” On what makes two-time Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra really special, Yego was full of praise. He said, “His flexibility and speed are his biggest assets. If he keeps those strong, he’ll do well for a long time. He’s a super-talented athlete. You just have to accept that.” As for what makes a 90m throw possible — technique or power — Yego was quick to clarify. He replied, “It’s everything. Technique plays a bigger role, but it has to be combined with power, speed, and a very strong mental state. You can’t plan a 90m throw. You get on the runway with good technique — the distance comes on its own.”

This historic event, co-organised by two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and JSW Sports, and sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India, marks a major leap forward for Indian athletics

Exclusive: 'You can’t prepare to throw 90m. It just happens, says 2016 Olympics silver medalist Julius Yego

thomas-rohler

Thomas Rohler, News on Thomas Rohler, stories on Thomas Rohler, articles on Thomas Rohler, Thomas Rohler stories at Wion, Thomas Rohler news, Thomas Rohler latest news

thomas rohler

Phenomenal Neeraj Chopra clinches NC Classic 2025 title

'I never even dreamt of something like this', says Neeraj Chopra

Exclusive | It’s magical, but it hurts': Thomas Rohler on living the 90m life

Exclusive: 'You can’t prepare to throw 90m. It just happens, says Julius Yego