New Delhi: Two-time Olympic and World Championships medallist Neeraj Chopra has joined arms with Czech javelin legend Jan Zelezny, who comes on board because the 26-year-old’s new coach forward of the brand new season, Sports activities Authority of India stated in a press release on Saturday.
India javelin ace Neeraj Chopra in motion on the Lausanne Diamond League assembly in August. (REUTERS)
Chopra, 26, received a historic gold medal on the 2021 Tokyo Olympics and the Paris podium place, in addition to two world championships medals – silver on the 2022 Eugene version and gold at 2023 Budapest – below Germany’s bio-mechanics professional Klaus Bartonietz. That affiliation ended with the Olympics and Chopra had been anticipated to announce a contemporary teaching tie-up, particularly after saying that he was suspending surgical procedure on a persistent groin damage and as an alternative seeking to handle the issue going into the contemporary Olympic cycle.
Czech Zelezny, a three-time Olympic and World champion who holds the world document, has been an inspirational determine for Chopra.
Sports activities Authority of India (SAI), in a media assertion, stated Zelezny’s wage might be funded by the union Sports activities Ministry’s Goal Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).
“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,” Chopra stated within the SAI assertion.
Chopra has, over the previous few years, expressed his need to breach the 90m mark. His alliance with Bartonietz after Paris, the place Chopra once more didn’t hit the 90m mark whereas Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem received gold with an Olympic document 92.97m.
Zelezny, 58, is considered the best javelin thrower in historical past. He received Olympic gold in 1992 Barcelona (representing Czechoslovakia), 1996 Atlanta and 2000 Sydney (each for Czech Republic). His World Championships gold medals got here in 1993, 1995 and 2001. Zelezny’s world document of 98.48 metres was set in 1996.
“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 stated.
Zelezny has 5 of the highest 10 finest throws of all time and broke the world document 4 occasions.
The Czech was coach of Jakub Vadlejch (silver) and Vítezslav Vesely (bronze) when Chopra received gold at Tokyo. He has additionally coached two-time ladies’s Olympic champion and three-time World champion Barbora Spotakova.