Pozzuoli, Italy, May 24, 2025 – The ground in Pozzuoli, a coastal town near Naples, has been trembling lately, but today the tremors are not from the seismic activity of the Campi Flegrei caldera. Instead, the town is shaking with joy as it celebrates Neeraj Chopra, a local hero of Indian descent, who clinched a stunning second-place finish at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial 2025 javelin throw competition with a throw of 84.14 meters. The news, confirmed by The Indian Express, has ignited euphoria among Pozzuoli’s tight-knit Indian community, turning recent fears of earthquakes into a moment of collective pride.
Pozzuoli, long accustomed to the rumblings of the volatile Campi Flegrei, faced significant seismic activity earlier this month. On May 13, a 4.4-magnitude earthquake struck, followed by a swarm of 49 quakes, prompting a state of emergency, as reported by The Watchers. A second swarm hit on May 14, with 24 quakes recorded, ranging from Md 0.0 to 3.1, centered between Pozzuoli and Solfatara (The Watchers,,). The tremors, felt as far as Naples, led to evacuations and heightened anxiety, with footage from La7 showing objects falling off shelves in a Pozzuoli home (The Mirror,). Mayor Gigi Manzoni described the events as a “major seismic swarm,” urging calm as firefighters rescued residents, including a woman injured by a collapsing ceiling (The Independent,).
Yet today, the mood has shifted dramatically. Chopra, whose family hails from India but has ties to Pozzuoli’s Indian diaspora, has become a source of inspiration. His recent performance, broadcast live and shared widely on X, has locals buzzing. “Pozzuoli trembles, but this time it’s for joy! Neeraj’s throw is our pride,” posted @CampiFlegreiFan, capturing the sentiment. The Indian community, numbering around 2,000 in Pozzuoli, gathered in the town square, waving Indian and Italian flags, with celebrations spilling into local cafés.
Chopra’s achievement comes amidst a challenging period for Pozzuoli, where seismic fears have dominated headlines. The Campi Flegrei caldera, one of Europe’s most hazardous volcanic systems, has seen increased activity, with scientists proposing groundwater management to mitigate risks, as noted by @irene_makarenko on X (*). Despite these concerns, the town’s spirit has been lifted by Chopra’s success, with residents like Maria Esposito telling Wanted in Rome, “Neeraj’s victory feels like a light in these shaky times.”
As Pozzuoli navigates its geological challenges, today’s celebration underscores the community’s resilience. The local Indian association plans a festival this weekend to honor Chopra, blending Italian and Indian traditions. For now, the earth may tremble, but in Pozzuoli, it’s the joy of a shared triumph that resonates most.
The joy on the faces painted in white and blue of children also erases the anxiety of mothers who never sleep. The title experienced as a rebirth after the shocks: “Exciting and being together, united, makes us forget the fear”