The Impressive TimesNew Delhi, January 8. 2025: Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra is all set to take center stage at a world-class javelin throw competition later this year, which will feature the globe’s top 10 javelin throwers. The exclusive invitation-only event is scheduled to be held in September and is expected to be a major highlight in the world of athletics. “There will be a premier javelin event in India, where the world’s top 10 throwers will compete. It will be an invitation-only tournament later this year,” stated Adille Sumariwalla, the outgoing President of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), in a press briefing on Tuesday.
Neeraj Chopra, who rose to international fame with his historic Olympic gold in Tokyo, will not only participate in the competition but will also play an instrumental role in organizing the event. The tournament is being jointly organized by Neeraj, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and a foreign partner, JSW. This collaboration aims to further elevate the profile of javelin throwing in India. The initiative comes amidst the growing popularity of javelin in the country, with India marking August 7 as National Javelin Day to celebrate Neeraj’s gold-winning performance at the Tokyo Olympics.
Beyond javelin, India is focusing on hosting more international athletics events in the coming years. Key upcoming competitions include the Para Athletics World Championships in New Delhi later this year (September-October), the World Para Athletics Grand Prix in March, and the inaugural Indian Open World Athletics Bronze Level Continental Tour in Bhubaneswar on August 10. The Continental Tour, an annual series backed by World Athletics, is seen as one of the most prominent events in the second tier of global athletics, just below the Diamond League in stature.
India has a track record of successfully hosting international athletics competitions, such as the 2004 World Half Marathon Championship in New Delhi. With future aspirations to host major events like the 2027 World Relays, the 2028 World Junior Championships, and the 2029 World Championships, India is determined to bolster its presence on the global athletics stage. This upcoming javelin competition, with Neeraj Chopra leading the charge, promises to further solidify India’s position as a key player in the international athletics community.
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