Neeraj Chopra to work with Jan Zelezny after javelin world record holder is unveiled as his new coach

Double Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra announced the beginning of a new partnership on Saturday with Czech legend Jan Zelezny being appointed as the Indian javelin star’s new coach. Reacting to the development, Chopra said he couldn’t wait to start working with three-time Olympic and world champion Zelezny while adding that he had grown up admiring his technique and precision.

“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.

He didn't know it then, but #NeerajChopra's new coach Jan Železný played a small role in his Gold medal triumph at #Tokyo2020. Watch how! 💪

📹: YouTube #CraftingVictories 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/HF5KYvsORt

— Inspire Institute of Sport (@IIS_Vijayanagar) November 9, 2024

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The appointment comes a little over a month after Chopra parted ways with previous coach Klaus Bartonietz after a successful five-year partnership, during which the 26-year-old athlete from Haryana won two Olympic medals including gold in Tokyo.

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

Zelezny, whose salary will be funded under the Sports Ministry’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), said it was a “great honour” to be coaching Chopra while adding that the Indian was always his first choice when it came to coaching an athlete outside of Czechia.

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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.

“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,” Zelezny said.

Zelezny remains in possession of the javelin world record for his throw measuring 98.48 set in 1996. He had broken the world record four times before his monster throw in 1996 that remains the best in javelin history to this day. Chopra, meanwhile, is yet to cross the 90-metre mark with his furthest throw measuring 89.94 metres set in the Diamond League meet in Stockholm in 2022, but could breach that elusive mark under Zelezny’s influence in the future.

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

The 58-year-old javelin icon had won Olympic gold in Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996 and Sydney 2000 besides winning silver in Seoul 1988. He had also won World Championships gold in 1993, 1995 and 2001.

Zelezny took up coaching after retirement and had served as coach to Jakub Vadlejch and Vítězslav Veselý, who had won silver and bronze respectively when Chopra won a historic gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Zelezny had also coached two-time Olympic gold medallist and three-time world champion Barbora Špotáková.

Chopra and Zelezny will be working together in Potchefstroom, South Africa where the Indian athlete will be undergoing early training for the 2025 season. After winning silver in the Paris Olympics and finishing second in the Diamond League final , Chopra will be setting his sights on defending his world championships gold medal.