Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra, a double Olympic medalist, has officially announced his partnership with legendary javelin thrower Jan Železný as his new coach. Železný, who holds the world record in javelin and is a three-time Olympic and World champion, will mentor Chopra as he prepares for the 2025 season. This collaboration marks an exciting development for Chopra, who has long regarded Železný as a major influence in his career.
Chopra expressed his enthusiasm about working with his idol, sharing that he has admired Železný’s skill and technique since his early days in the sport. “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 said.
Chopra’s new coaching arrangement is being funded through the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports’ Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS), which has supported several of India’s top athletes. Under Železný’s expert guidance, Chopra aims to refine his technique and build on the successes that have already defined his career. The collaboration between the young Indian talent and the Czech legend brings together two generations of javelin champions, setting the stage for Chopra to reach new heights.
Železný, who is widely considered one of the greatest javelin throwers of all time, was equally enthusiastic about coaching Chopra. Reflecting on his early impressions of Chopra’s potential, Železný said, “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.”
The training partnership is set to begin in person at Železný’s traditional winter camp in South Africa, where the duo will focus on technical improvements to help Chopra excel in upcoming major competitions. Železný emphasized that Chopra has already shown world-class talent and believes that this technical refinement will enable him to continue achieving at the highest levels.
Železný, known for his own record-breaking feats, has achieved five of the top ten javelin throws of all time, including the world record throw of 98.48 meters set in 1996. His coaching credentials are equally impressive, having guided Tokyo 2020 medalists Jakub Vadlejch and Vítězslav Veselý, as well as two-time Olympic champion Barbora Špotáková.
As Chopra embarks on this new journey, the support and guidance of Železný are expected to play a crucial role in his growth, marking another exciting chapter in Indian athletics.
image credit: revsportz.com
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