Picture Credit: X
The commencement of India’s first-ever international javelin competition is just around the corner and there is bad news from the Indian camp. The highly anticipated Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025, which will take place on July 5 in Bengaluru after its postponement, is set to feature a stellar lineup of elite-javelin throwers from all over the world, making it a first-of-its kind initiative. But days ahead of the event, it was confirmed that Asian Games silver-medallist Kishore Jena will miss the tournament.
Jena, who was a prominent Indian athlete in the line-up, has been ruled out due to an ankle injury. However, the development was confirmed by the organisers, they also announced his replacement. Taking to X, Neeraj Chopra Classic wrote, “Official Update: Kishore Jena has been ruled out of the Neeraj Chopra Classic due to an ankle injury. Yashvir Singh has been named as his replacement.”
Yashvir Singh to replace Kishore Jena in Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025
Kishore Jena won a silver medal behind Neeraj Chopra in the Asian Games 2023 at Hangzhou, China. With his personal best throw of 87.54 metres in that tournament, he was seen as a strong contender to challenge the world’s best at this landmark event. His absence is a blow not just for Indian fans, but also for a meet designed to showcase the finest javelin talent on the Indian soil.
But his replacement Yashvir Singh comes with his own credentials. The 23-year-old finished second in the Federation Cup in April and fifth in the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea in May with a personal best of 82.57 metres. Yashvir and Kishore were in action together at the Indian Open Athletics 2025 meet in Chennai in April earlier this year, competing at the Jawahar Lal Nehru Stadium in Chennai. Singh produced his best effort of 77.49 metre in his fifth attempt, while Kishore’s 77.59 metre throw came in his fourth attempt. Yashvir Singh is currently ranked 41st in the world. He will join his compatriots Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav and Sahil Silwal in the lineup.
Neeraj Chopra Classic - a star studded line-up of athletes
Neeraj Chopra Classic 2025 is set to be the highest-tier international athletics meet ever held in India. This tournament is a collaboration between Neeraj Chopra, JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and World Athletics (WA). The tournament was earlier set to be played on May 24, but due to the cross-border tensions between India and Pakistan post the Operation Sindoor, it was postponed in the light of a tribute to the Armed Forces.
Leading the line-up in the event is two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, who is joined by globally renowned names such as Thomas Rohler of Germany, who won the gold medal in 2016 Rio Olympics, 2015 world champion Julius Yego from Kenya, and Yashvir Singh (who has now replaced Kishore Jena). In a move to spotlight the elite global talent it aims to inspire the next generation of Indian athletes.
