Neeraj Chopra Balances Athlete and Organiser Roles Ahead of Inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025

By A Staff Reporter

Bengaluru, Karnataka: Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra is stepping into a new role — not just as a competitor, but as an organiser — for the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025. Speaking ahead of the much-anticipated athletics event in Bengaluru, Chopra expressed both excitement and a sense of responsibility in bringing the competition to life.

“This is a new experience and I am enjoying this,” said Chopra. “I am thinking about my performance, but the event also has to be made successful so that it can be further expanded in the future. So that our Indian athletes also get a chance to compete and our track and field events further elevate.”

Fresh from competing in the Paris Diamond League and Ostrava meets, Chopra explained how the transition from athlete to event organiser has been demanding yet fulfilling. “I competed in Paris, then Ostrava, and came to Mumbai before reaching Bengaluru. So travel, competitions, and the constant thought of how to make this event successful — from meeting brands and doing shoots to managing food, accommodation, and conveyance for athletes — it’s all been a part of the process.”

Chopra credited his team for managing the logistics, while admitting that juggling multiple roles has been a significant challenge. “There was one challenge, that I had a lot on my mind for a lot of things,” he shared.