Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025: Arshad Nadeem’s name missing, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage added to elite field

While seven javelin throwers from abroad who will compete at the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 have been named, the Indian throwers are yet to be revealed.

By: Sports Desk
April 24, 2025 09:10 PM IST

2 min read

File image of Tokyo Olympics champion Neeraj Chopra (right) with 2016 Olympics gold medallist Thomas Röhler and 3-time Olympic champion Jan Železný in Turkey. (Instagram)

The javelin throw field for the Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 was announced on Thursday with Pakistan thrower Arshad Nadeem’s name missing. Instead, Rumesh Pathirage from Sri Lanka has been added to the elite field of international throwers. While the seven javelin throwers from abroad have been named, the Indian throwers are yet to be revealed. two-time Olympics medallist Neeraj Chopra has already confirmed that he will be competing at the event. The field also includes Rio Olympics gold medalist from Germany Thomas Röhler besides former world champion Julius Yego. The event will be held in Bengaluru.

The Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, scheduled for May 24, will have the status of a World Athletics Gold Label event, It is being jointly organised by Olympic Champion Neeraj Chopra and JSW Sports, in association with the Athletics Federation of India and World Athletics.

READ MORE: Behind Neeraj Chopra’s NC Classic: Learning about lighting levels, getting out of comfort zone, nurturing a dream

Full list of international throwers at Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025

Anderson Peters (Grenada): Two-time World Champion (2019, 2022) and reigning Pan American Games gold medallist, known for his explosive throws beyond 90m, a personal best of 93.07m

Thomas Röhler (Germany): 2016 Olympic Champion and one of the sport’s all-time greats, with a personal best of 93.90m

Julius Yego (Kenya): Yego is a World Champion (2015) and Olympic silver medallist (2016), trailblazing javelin’s rise in Africa. His personal best: 92.72m

Curtis Thompson (USA): Top-ranked American javelin thrower, Pan American Games champion (2023), and a consistent performer on the Diamond League circuit with a personal best of 87.76m

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Genki Dean (Japan): Asian Games 2023 bronze medallist, Dean brings strong credentials from the Asian circuit, a top-10 world ranking and a personal best of 84.28m

Luiz Mauricio da Silva (Brazil): A South American powerhouse with multiple podium finishes at the South American Athletics Championships. His personal best: 85.91m

Rumesh Pathirage (Sri Lanka): A rising star from the subcontinent, Pathirage enters the field with a personal best: 85.45m

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