Neeraj Chopra sponsors fan’s VVIP trip to inaugural NC Classic in Bengaluru

Neeraj Chopra (Pic: AFP)

Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra stepped forward to sponsor a fan's all-expense paid trip to the inaugural NC Classic in Bengaluru, scheduled for July 5. The event, which carries World Athletics Gold Level status, is poised to become one of the premier javelin competitions in the global athletics calendar.

The fan in question, Ranjith Kumar Ravichandran, a passionate javelin enthusiast from Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, had posted on X (formerly Twitter) expressing his desire to attend the NC Classic. "If anyone sponsors me 2000 rupees, I can go to watch this from Coimbatore," he wrote, hoping for a small contribution to make the trip possible.

Moved, Chopra decided to personally fulfil the request, offering Ranjith not just travel support, but a complete VVIP experience, including premium accommodation.

"Hi, Ranjith. You've got a full VVIP experience waiting for you in Bengaluru because your trip to the nc_classic is on me! And thanks to RadissonHotels, you'll be staying about 90 metres away from me. See you soon," Chopra responded on X.

Originally set for May 24, the NC Classic had been postponed due to geopolitical tensions between India and Pakistan. The re-scheduled event is now set to take place at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium, a premier athletics venue in Bengaluru.

Organised by Chopra himself in collaboration with JSW Sports and sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the event will feature a world-class field of javelin throwers, including seven top international athletes and five Indian competitors, headlined by the 27-year-old.

Among the global stars expected to compete are Germany's Thomas Röhler, a former Olympic gold medallist, and Anderson Peters of Grenada, a multiple-time World Champion. The event is designed not only to showcase elite-level javelin throwing but also to inspire the next generation of Indian athletes by bringing international standards to home soil.

Chopra himself arrives at the tournament in superb form. He recently clinched the javelin title at the 2025 Ostrava Golden Spike, registering a best throw of 85.29 metres, following his historic milestone of crossing the 90m barrier.