Neeraj Chopra: Who is his new coach Jan Zelezny, and how can he help the Indian ace cross the 90m mark?

Can Czech Republic’s Jan Zelezny help his new ward Neeraj Chopra cross the elusive 90m mark in javelin throw? If someone can it has to be Zelezny, who was named as Neeraj Chopra’s new coach on Saturday . Neeraj, 26, recently brought an end to his five-year association with former coach Dr. Klaus Bartonietz as the biomechanics expert who is now 75 wants to spend more time with his family.

With Bartonietz by his side, Neeraj won everything there is to win in the world of javelin throw – an Olympic gold (Tokyo 2020), World Championship gold (2023), and Diamond League Trophy (2022). He also won gold at the Asian Games in 2023 and silver at the Paris Olympics 2024. However. Neeraj is still to breach the 90m mark, having a personal best of 89.94m.

Also Read | Chopra’s emotional note for Bartonietz: ‘You were there through the highs, even more through the lows’

Who is Jan Zelezny, Neeraj Chopra’s new coach?

Zelezny is a rockstar in that sense from the world of javelin throw, having broken the world record four times. He holds the record for the biggest throw ever with 98.48 metres which he achieved in 1996. The 58-year-old from the Czech Republic is a three-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion

He won the gold medal at the 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympics and silver in 1998.

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“Growing up, I admired Jan’s technique and precision and spent a lot of time watching videos of him. He 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. It’s an honour to have Jan by my side as I push towards the next level in my career, and I can’t wait to get started,” said Chopra in a statement while announcing Zelezny as his next coach.

Also Read | Chopra sets sights on podium finish in next year’s World Championships, vows to remain ‘100 per cent fit’

Zelezny on his part said that he sees “big potential” in Neeraj.

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“I have already spoken about Neeraj as a great talent many years ago. When I saw him early in his career, I realised great possibilities for top results. I also said that if I should start to coach somebody from outside Czechia, my first choice would be Neeraj. I like his story and I see big potential, as he is young and able to improve. There have been many athletes contacting me for coaching, so for me to take this up means that it is a great honour to have him in my team."

How Jan Zelezny can help Neeraj Chopra?

It will be a challenging coaching assignment for Zelezny as Neeraj has been struggling with niggle in his adductor which hampered his performance in Paris Olympics, but one area where the javelin great can help the Indian is in extracting the best from his body despite his limitations in a few areas.

For example, Arshad Nadeem of Pakistan who won gold in Paris is 6 feet 3 inches, while Neeraj is only 6 feet. The height advantage that Nadeem enjoys was on full display in the Olympics 2024 as he scripted a 92.97m throw to win gold and Neeraj was only able to manage 89.45m for the second position.

Zelezny is also only 6 feet 1 inch tall but still managed a throw in excess of 98m which shows that with the right technique athletes of short height can triumph over taller competitors.

Meanwhile, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla has confirmed that Zelezny was Neeraj’s choice.

“It is not that we have been talking to one coach,” AFI chief was quoted as saying by the New Indian Express. “We have spoken to four-five coaches. There is a Russian and some other coaches. His style is similar to Neeraj and more than anything else Neeraj also wanted him as coach. And after so many years of success at the highest level, he knows what he wants.”