Neeraj Chopra To Reduce Time Spent With Coach Jan Zelezny In 2025. Here's Why

Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will not train with his coach Jan Zelezny throughout the year and seek his guidance only when required, outgoing Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla said on Tuesday. Chopra roped in three-time Olympic champion and world record holder Zelezny (98.48m) as his coach in November 2024, setting the ball rolling for the upcoming season, where he will defend his world title. Zelezny, 58, is widely considered the greatest javelin thrower of the modern era. The Czech won three Olympic gold medals (1992, 1996, 2000)and as many world titles (1993, 1995, 2001) in his illustrious career.

Chopra till recently worked with German biomechanics expert Klaus Bartonietz, who also doubled up as his coach. Bartonietz was more or less with Chopra throughout the year.

"There are different parts to coaching -- strength conditioning, technique, biomechanics etc. Normally one coach does not look after all of these and help is taken from others. These days, there is no coach in world which is attached to one athlete for 365 days," Sumariwalla said on the opening day of the AFI AGM.

"Zelezny will come when he needs to come even if he is not 365 days with Neeraj and that is the way the world is. Neeraj has now reached that stage in his life where he needs to take assistance from different segments -- strength training, conditioning, biomechanics, running and throwing. That is the way in future for all the events." Chopra, who won a historic gold in the Tokyo Olympics and a silver in Paris Games under Bartonietz, is currently training in South Africa without Zelezny.

"There were a lot of consultations. A lot of coaches were talked to. Neeraj himself talked to a lot of coaches and we