Neeraj Chopra relieved on performing well under pressure after winning NC Classic 2025

Neeraj Chopra admitted that he feels a huge weight has been taken off his shoulders after he claimed the title at the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium here on Saturday.

“It was a mentally tough day for me. Because there were so many people supporting me. I was also feeling a little uneasy as the competition is in my name.

“I spoke to my coach, and he said that it is okay and other athletes like Mondo [Armando Duplantis] have also done meets like this,” Neeraj told reporters after the event.

“So, that was a big pressure to perform well. But Rumesh [Pathirage] and Julius [Yego] pushed me hard. After all the work and travel, and training I have done for this, I am happy. I have managed to win the medal in the inaugural event. I am happy about that.”

AS IT HAPPENED | NEERAJ CHOPRA CLASSIC 2025 HIGHLIGHTS

Neeraj admitted that juggling organising an event and participating in the same has been a challenge that has helped him discover newer aspects of himself.

India’s Neeraj Chopra, winner of the 1st edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 with Kenya’s Julius Yego (2nd) and Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage (3rd), at Sri Kanteerva Stadium, in Bengaluru.
| Photo Credit:
K. Murali Kumar/The Hindu

“I was training also, but I also had to spend time travelling and meeting people. But at the back of my mind, I knew that I had to perform also. This competition has made me stronger in the sense that under a new kind of pressure, I could perform,” said Neeraj.

The Tokyo Olympics champion was also pleasantly surprised by the nearly 15,000-strong crowd that turned up to cheer him and his fellow participants.

RELATED: Neeraj Chopra claims expected win in tough conditions

“I thoroughly enjoyed participating at home. So many people turned up and supported us. It was the first edition we were organising and I wasn’t expecting so much crowd and support,” added Neeraj.

Kenya’s Yego, who claimed the silver on Thursday, hailed the NC Classis as a landmark moment event for Indian athletics, which could pave the way for the nation to host higher-profile events.

“Having an event like this, with a lot of fans in the stadium. It is something big. World Athletics must be thinking now that India is ready for big events. I look forward to India hosting bigger events than this,” said Yego.