Neeraj Chopra has become a sensation in India in recent years. His accomplishments in track and field events have earned him the recognition and popularity that athletes desire. He earned silver at the Paris Olympics 2024 and gold at the Tokyo Olympics 2020. Aside from that, he has won several medals and contests for India in recent years. However, owing to surgery, he has not been able to perform at his peak in recent months.
Jan Zelezny, the legendary javelin thrower, has been named as the Golden Boy’s new coach for the 2025 season. The former Czech athlete has won both the World and Olympic championships. He also holds the world record with a throw of 98.48 meters. Zelezny will join Neeraj in South Africa for a 31-day training program that begins later this month. Neeraj will work with Zelezny over the next two years, but not throughout the Olympic cycle.
Neeraj’s long-time coach, Dr. Klaus Bartonietz, recently announced his retirement due to age. However, before that, both of them decided to part ways. Bartonitz has been with Neeraj Chopra since 2019. He stood by Neeraj in every major tournament. But he decided to leave him after the Paris Olympics in 2024. The man was 75 years old and wanted to spend time with his family. Apart from this, he could no longer travel much.
Neeraj Chopra believes in foreign coaches over Indian talent
Is Neeraj Chopra losing confidence in Indian Coaches? Zelezny is largely recognised as the finest javelin thrower of the modern era, with the fourth, fifth, and sixth-best performances in history. The 58-year-old has broken the world record four times. Neeraj Chopra after the appointment said, “He (Zelezny) was the best in the sport for so many years and I believe that working with him will be invaluable because our throwing styles are similar and his knowledge is unmatched.”
Meanwhile, Jan Zelezny said, “We are getting to know each other more closely and will start in person at a traditional winter camp in South Africa. I believe in his progress, especially in the technical aspect, so that he can continue achieving top positions at the main championships.”
