India’s double Olympic Games medallist in men’s javelin, Neeraj Chopra, has already qualified for Worlds in September. The automatic qualification standard in men’s javelin throw is 85.50m.

The rescheduled inaugural edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 at Bengaluru’s Kanteerava Stadium on Saturday will be a good opportunity for a group of aspiring Indian javelin throwers to showcase their potential and qualify for the Worlds in September. “I’ve already qualified for the September 13 to 21 World Athletics Championships. But it will be a good chance for other Indian throwers to win tickets to global competition,” Chopra told the journalist on the eve of Neeraj Chopra Classic, a World Athletic Continental Tour Gold.

India’s 27 years two-time Olympic medallist is part of the organising committee and also competing. 

The 12 competitors in the fray feature talented Indian thrower, including Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav and Sahil Siwal. Asian Games silver medallist, Kishore Kumar Jena, pulled out due to niggle. Yashvir Singh is the fifth Indian in fray.

Sachin Yadav, winner of the silver at the Gumi Asian Athletics Championships recorded a throw of 85.16m in May to narrowly miss the World Athletics direct qualification mark. Sachin Yadav will be hungry to prove himself in front of the home crowd on Saturday.

The international competitors in fray includes Kenya’s Olympic medallist, Julius Yego. The 36 years old had a personal best of 92.72m, but his season best is 83.03m.

Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage (Season best 85.41m and personal best 85.45m), Germany’s Olympic Champion Thomas Rohler whose personal best of 93.90m was recorded in 2017. Rohler’s season best though is 80.79m.

Luiz Maurico Da Silva (Brazil), Curtis Thompson (USA), Martin Konecny (Czech Republic) and Cyprian Mrzyglod (Poland).

ENDS