NEW DELHI: Neeraj Chopra, India’s double Olympic medalist has taken a monumental step in his career by announcing a partnership with Czech javelin legend Jan Železný as his new coach. This collaboration is expected to elevate Chopra’s game as he prepares for the 2025 season, with Železný bringing his unparalleled expertise and experience to the table.
Železný, a three-time Olympic gold medalist and world record holder, has long been a role model for Chopra. The 1992, 1996, and 2000 Olympic champion holds the world record for javelin with an incredible 98.48m throw, a mark that stands strong since 1996. His career is distinguished by five of the top ten best throws in javelin history, cementing his place as one of the sport’s greatest athletes.
ALSO READ: Harmanpreet Singh, Yibbi Jansen named FIH Players of Year 2024
Chopra, whose career includes a historic gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and silver in the 2024 Paris Olympics, expressed his admiration for Železný’s technical mastery. “Growing up, I spent countless hours watching Jan’s videos. His technique and precision were unmatched, and our throwing styles are quite similar. His knowledge and experience are invaluable, and I believe working with him will take my game to the next level,” said Chopra.
Under Železný’s guidance, Chopra aims to refine his throwing technique and continue his successful run in international competitions. The Czech coach had previously spoken highly of Chopra’s potential, recognizing his talent early in his career. “I’ve always said Neeraj had great potential, and I’m excited to work with him. He’s young and capable of improving, especially technically, and I believe we’ll see great results,” Železný stated.
ALSO READ: Sanju Samson’s back-to-back T20I centuries spark calls for permanent opener role
Their collaboration will kick off at a winter camp in South Africa, marking the beginning of an exciting new phase in Chopra’s training. The partnership not only signifies a merger of generations but also highlights Chopra’s dedication to improving every aspect of his technique. Železný’s role as a coach is especially significant given his track record of mentoring other top athletes, including Jakub Vadlejch and Vítězslav Veselý, who earned medals at the Tokyo Olympics under his tutelage.