Pakistan’s Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem on Wednesday stated he has declined Neeraj Chopra’s invitation to compete in the NC Classic javelin event in Bengaluru on May 24 as that can conflict along with his coaching schedule for the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships.
Nadeem, nevertheless, stated he was grateful to Chopra for inviting him for the event.
“The (NC) Classic event is from 20th May (May 24) whereas I am scheduled to leave for Korea on 22nd May for the Asian Athletics Championship,” Nadeem stated.
He stated he had been coaching exhausting for the Asian Championship which will probably be held in Gumi, South Korea, from May 27 to 31.
On Monday, Chopra had stated that he had despatched invitation to Nadeem to compete in the inaugural event which the Indian celebrity is internet hosting.
“I have sent invitation to Arshad and he said he will get back to me after discussing with his coach. As of now he is yet to confirm participation,” Chopra advised reporters in a digital media interplay on Monday.
Nadeem had clinched gold in the 2024 Paris Games with an Olympic report throw of 92.97m, beating Chopra who may handle 89.45m to win the silver.
Stars to attend
The maiden version of Neeraj Chopra Classic javelin throw event will probably be teeming with stars because the likes of Anderson Peters of Grenada and Thomas Rohler of Germany are participating.
Peters, who hails from Grenada, is a two-time world champion and Rohler is the gold-medallist from the 2016 Olympics.
The participation of Kenyan Julius Yego, a silver-medallist in the 2016 Rio Olympics apart from being a 2015 World Championships gold winner, and American Curtis Thompson, who’s the present season chief with 87.76m, has additionally been confirmed.
The competitors has been granted class A standing by World Athletics.
The event will probably be collectively organised by Chopra and JSW Sports in collaboration with the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and World Athletics, that includes prime world in addition to Indian javelin throwers.
Published – April 24, 2025 12:44 pm IST
