Neeraj Chopra, the two-time Olympic medallist and India’s golden boy in javelin throw has announced a significant change in his coaching team. After the retirement of his long-time coach, Dr. Klaus Bartonietz, Chopra has appointed Jan Zelezny, the legendary Czech javelin thrower, as his new coach.
Neeraj Chopra has been making waves in the world of athletics with his impressive performances, including a gold medal at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a silver at the Rio 2016 Olympics. Despite his success, Chopra has struggled to break the elusive 90m barrier in his throws. This has been a key focus area for his training and development.
Jan Zelezny: A Legend in Javelin Throw
Jan Zelezny is widely regarded as one of the greatest javelin throwers of all time. He has won three Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996, and 2000) and holds the world record with a throw of 98.48m, set in 1996. Zelezny’s career is decorated with numerous accolades, including World Championship titles and multiple Diamond League victories.
Why Neeraj Chopra chose Zelezny?
Chopra has long admired Zelezny’s technique and precision. Growing up, Chopra spent hours watching videos of Zelezny’s throws, learning from his style and approach. Zelezny’s experience and knowledge in the sport are unparalleled, making him an ideal mentor for Chopra as he aims to reach new heights in his career.
Neeraj Chopra 's new coach Jan Zelezny
Zelezny is World Record Holder (98.48m throw)
– Three times Gold Medalists at the Olympics 🏅
– Three times World Champion 🏅 pic.twitter.com/57fyaDPF2s— Rohit Baliyan (@rohit_balyan) November 9, 2024
Chopra and Zelezny will begin their collaboration with a training camp in South Africa later this month. The camp will focus on refining Chopra’s technique and building his fitness to achieve the 90m mark. Zelezny’s expertise in coaching top athletes, including Jakub Vadlejch and Barbora Spotakova, will be invaluable in guiding Chopra’s progress.
The partnership between Chopra and Zelezny is expected to have a significant impact on Indian athletics. With Zelezny’s guidance, Chopra aims to defend his world title in Tokyo next year and continue his dominance in the sport. The collaboration also highlights the importance of international coaching expertise in nurturing talent and achieving sporting excellence.
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