NC Classic: A test for Neeraj Chopra to control monster throws and a dress rehearsal before the Worlds

The farthest anyone has thrown a javelin in India in a recorded competition is 88.07m. To no one’s surprise, it was done by Neeraj Chopra.

Back in March 2021, when Neeraj threw that distance at the Indian Grand Prix 3 meet in Patiala, he broke his own national record in the process.

Since then, Neeraj has pushed his and India’s javelin boundaries so far that his best effort in his homeland doesn’t even feature in his top 10 throws.

In a glittering career like that of Neeraj’s, it is an ever-so-insignificant anomaly.

But, on Saturday in Bengaluru, the 27-year-old will have the perfect stage to fix that glitch, at the first-ever Neeraj Chopra Classic, an event co-hosted by himself, set to be the biggest international athletics meet to be hosted by India.

But Neeraj was quick to douse expectations of some massive throws from him.

“We will see a good competition. It’s a new experience for me and all of you. I would like to say that you don’t look at the results and just enjoy the competition. Don’t expect too many long throws. Let’s just see how much fun it will be,” said Neeraj on Friday during a press meet.

A major factor for Neeraj toning down his targets is his preparation run for the World Athletics Championships, set to happen in September.

“Of course, tomorrow’s competition is very important, and after that, we will start preparing for the World Championships,” mentioned Neeraj.

It also doesn’t help that the defending world champion had two back-to-back meets in Paris and Ostrava before he arrived in Bengaluru, where he was swamped by the NC Classic’s organisational workload.

Nevertheless, Neeraj’s competitors are ready to push him to up the ante.

“I’m coming back slowly from a few injuries and. I am almost 90 per cent of my fitness is okay. If I can throw over 85 meters, it will be a good show. And of course, we’re trying to challenge him [Neeraj] to throw another 90 meters,” said Julius Yego.

Yego, who claimed the World Championship in 2015, has a reason to harp on the 90-metre point, despite Neeraj’s underplaying words.

Of the 26 javelin throwers to have crossed the hallowed 90m mark, only 10 haven’t done it in their own home country. This includes Yego and Neeraj.

Among all the 129 recorded javelin throws of 90m or over, 35 have been achieved by an athlete in his home country. This is a substantial amount, considering the global spread of athletics events, indicating the not-so-subtle influence of home advantage on an athlete’s performance.

Neeraj has made himself scarce in his home territory: NC Classic will only be his second competition appearance in India after his gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

At the Federation Cup in Bhubaneshwar in 2024, Neeraj secured the title with 82.27m, a below-par figure by his astronomical standards. It was a preservation throw of sorts, as he had the 2024 Olympics coming up on his horizon.

On Saturday, in front of a crowd he toiled to bring together, Neeraj will have to dig deep into his mental resolve to prevent himself from unleashing one of his monster throws.

For once, Indian fans will hope for his determination to falter.