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“Sky is the limit”: Jan Železný, Neeraj Chopra’s new coach, outlines expectations ahead of new season

May 16, 2025
<a href="https://revsportz.in/author/abhijit/" rel="author" class="url fn n" itemprop="url"><img alt='' src='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a13e6ab34bbc50155bb12015361a5961?s=32&d=mm&r=g' srcset='https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/a13e6ab34bbc50155bb12015361a5961?s=64&d=mm&r=g 2x' class='avatar avatar-32 photo' height='32' width='32' decoding='async'/> <span class="" itemprop="name">Abhijit Deshmukh</span></a>
Neeraj Chopra training ahead of Doha diamond league. Image : Abhijit Deshmukh

Abhijit Deshmukh in Doha

An athletics event in May in the Middle East can raise eyebrows. How can athletes participate in Diamond League competitions held in such hot and humid conditions? However, as the sun sets, the heat decreases and sometimes the weather might be blissful. But again, the humidity sometimes increases. The Doha Diamond League might be one-day event, or rather one evening, but it surely is one of the more challenging ones due to its unpredictable weather.

Most of the athletes trained at an arena next to Qatar Sports Club from 5 pm. Neeraj Chopra arrived around 6 PM, accompanied by his coach, Jan Železný, and physiotherapist, Ishaan Marwaha. The trio moved with quiet focus, as Neeraj took to the ground for a light workout.

The last time I saw Neeraj was at the Paris Olympics. In his sports outfit, he looks in better shape and appears to have added muscle mass, signalling a period of strength-building. The session itself was relatively low on intensity. Neeraj focused mostly on stretching and conditioning drills. He completed just a single lap of the ground and did minimal javelin-specific work. He didn’t engage in full-speed throws or extensive running with the javelin.

As Neeraj practised, several of his competitors –  Anderson Peters of Grenada, Genki Dean of Japan and Kishore Jena – also arrived. Neeraj had friendly moments with all.

“Two years ago, it was hot as hell here,” Dean told Neeraj. “Yes, I remember” was Neeraj’s reply.

Meanwhile, fellow throwers Peters and Jena went through more traditional run-ups, simulating throws with rhythm and intensity. By around 7:30 PM, the weather had settled into a neutral zone—no wind, no oppressive humidity. That was when Neeraj and his team decided to end the session.

After the training session was over, I asked for a picture of  the trio  of Neeraj, Ishaan and Železný. And as we walked, I casually asked Železný how he had managed to throw more than 98 metres.

Neeraj Chopra(middle) with coach , Jan Železný(Right), and physiotherapist, Ishaan Marwaha(Left).

“I’ve thrown more than 90m many times,” he told me. “I don’t know how it happened. I just threw it. Sky is the limit. Nothing is impossible.” Neeraj was walking alongside his coach as he said that. I’m sure he would have got the message.
Schedule

The following Indian athletes will be in action at the Doha Diamond League.

Men’s Javelin

Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena
7:43 PM (local time)/ 10:13 PM IST

Men’s 5000m

Gulveer Singh
7:45 PM (local time)/10:15 PM IST

Women’s 3000m  Steeplechase

Parul Chaudhary
8:44 PM(local time)/11:15 PM IST

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