The relationship between an athlete and a coach is sacrosanct. In professional tennis, hire and fire is the norm. Be it winner of 24 Grand Slam titles Novak Djokovic or World No.2 Iga Swiatek, it takes them no time in calling it splits with their coach if things do not work out well. If there is a fantastic exception to the rule, someone who respects a coach like a father figure, it has to be Neeraj Chopra.
Known for his sublime skills with the javelin and how he can battle less than full fitness to win medals, Neeraj won hearts by clinching silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics. It was a big medal indeed, given his fitness level and how he had been managing the groin injury through 2024. There was no euphoria, quiet celebrations in Paris and plenty of media interviews and training again with coach Klaus Bartonietz, a solid guiding force who ensured Neeraj could be fit for the WANDA Diamond League as well. Neeraj did not win it this time, but still was focused and trained in Europe after the Olympics. It showed how much Neeraj values discipline and not to go overboard with celebrations.
So, when Neeraj returned to India, finally, and dropped a hint that he needed a new coach to move to the next level, it was subtle, more than a month after the silver medal win in Paris. For those who have followed his journey, starting from the Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast in 2018, the Haryanvi has been always focused. He spent time with Klaus so closely that parting ways became emotional. They had been together even during the worst phase of the Covid pandemic in spells, in the lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics, where Neeraj won gold.
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For the Indian superstar to continue with Klaus was proof he valued the contribution of his coach. Finally, when the 75 year-old German wished to return back home citing age, Neeraj had to part ways. The post from Neeraj on X (erstwhile Twitter) was reverential. At the same time, each image posted reflected the bonding between the two. Neeraj must have shed tears quietly, for saying goodbye to coach Klaus was very tough. “We knew Neeraj had to move on from Klaus but before that we had to find the next coach,” Adille Sumariwala told RevSportz.
“Coach, you are more than just a mentor to me. Everything you taught me has helped me grow both as an athlete and a person. You have gone out of your way to make sure I was mentally and physically prepared for every competition,” wrote Neeraj at the start of his post. It captured the whole journey of the duo. Of course, when Neeraj had to overcome the emotions and get back to his peak fitness in the off-season abroad and prepare for the 2025 season, there was good news. He will train with Czech legend Jan Zelezny, who is even more keen to be with the Indian.
Zelezny, famous for his technique and three Olympic gold medals and one silver, also holds the world record throw of 98.48 metres. He coaches in a restricted group, mostly with Czechia throwers. Right now, Zelezny and a bunch are training in South Africa. The celebrated coach, who was the first to post on the Czechia athletics federation he would be guiding Neeraj, is very excited. Though the initial agreement is only for two years, even this period will be important.
Many athletics buffs have pointed out that for Neeraj to cross the 90-metre mark, he needs to work on his technique and follow-through. The best part, Neeraj also told reporters, he grew up admiring Zelezny and watched his videos to learn how to get better. For him to adapt to new methods will be important. He has to stay injury free and peak at the World Championship in Tokyo in 2025. His entry is already assured as per the World Athletics website.
The best part about Neeraj is that he is humble. Also, he doesn’t want to stay too much on social media through needless posts. How he has done this offers proof of the process adopted to win two Olympic medals – a gold and a silver.
Apart from the 2025 World Championship, Neeraj will also look to peak again at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, 2026. Surely, the way Neeraj is respectful to his coaches is something which magnifies his image as a role model, a high point of Indian sport in 2024.
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