Neeraj Chopra on micro managing Neeraj Chopra Classic: 'Jaise kisi ko apne ghar pe khane pe bula rakha ho'

Less than a week after winning the inaugural edition of Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 in Bengaluru, India's most decorated athlete Neeraj Chopra was in the national capital on Friday. Neeraj was present at the Ambience Mall in Gurugram to inaugurate the Under Armour Brand House and unveil the names of new sportsperson - Jay Shah (triple jump athlete), Jyotika Dutta (fencer), Rishika Khajuria (sabre fencer), Tejaswin Shankar (Decathlete) - signed in by the American sportswear company.

Neeraj spoke to media persons on the sidelines of the event, where he opened up about micro managing the Neeraj Chopra Classic, India's first-ever international javelin competition. "Thoda different tha, pressure toh tha hi naam juda hai competition ke saath (It was different and of course there was pressure as my name is associated with the competition)," said Neeraj about the event, which was co-organised by him and JSW Sports, and sanctioned by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Neeraj said he was involved in almost every logistics, from food arrangements to accommodation, even noting "aisa feel ho raha tha jaise kisi ko apne ghar pe khane pe bula rakha hai. Har cheez perfect honi chahiye waisa feel kar raha tha."

Well, that truly is Neeraj Chopra, who despite achieving almost everything there is, remains humble and simple. "I was working on almost every aspect in details. Whatever I used to feel, right from food, rooms, travel - I wanted them (foreign athletes) to feel good."

For people, who watched Neeraj Chopra Classic on screens or at the venue, must have noticed the "javelin chariot" carrying the javelin. Well technology no matter how advance does have its limitations, something Neeraj also felt. "The javelins were taking time to reach the athletes the day of the competition. I requested the volunteers to please use hands to pass the javelins as the throws were getting delayed," said Neeraj.