Punjab Newsline, Sports :
Mutual decision after a mixed season; historic 90-metre throw remains a major highlight
Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra and legendary javelin thrower-turned-coach Jan Zelezny have mutually agreed to bring their coaching partnership to an end following a mixed competitive season. While the collaboration saw Chopra cross the iconic 90-metre mark for the first time in his career, the Indian star was unable to retain his gold medal at the World Athletics Championships. Despite this, both Chopra and Zelezny described their association as one built on growth, trust, and meaningful collaboration.
The partnership made an immediate impact, with Chopra and Zelezny delivering a historic moment in their very first competition together. Chopra, who scripted history by winning India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics at the Tokyo Games and later added a silver medal at the Paris Olympics in 2024, finally breached the much-awaited 90-metre barrier. This milestone performance placed him among the elite javelin throwers of the world and marked a defining chapter for Indian athletics.
Reflecting on their time together, Chopra said it was a special experience to learn directly from someone he had admired since childhood. Training under Zelezny exposed him to new technical ideas, training methods, and fresh perspectives on rhythm and movement, which helped him further refine his approach to the sport.
“Working with Jan opened my eyes to so many new ideas. His understanding of technique, rhythm, and movement is exceptional, and I learned something valuable from every session we had together,” Chopra said in a statement.
Zelezny also spoke positively about the partnership and the progress they achieved. He noted that guiding an athlete of Chopra’s calibre was a rewarding experience and expressed satisfaction at helping him break the 90-metre barrier. Zelezny pointed out that apart from the World Championships, Chopra finished no worse than second in most competitions, which he described as a strong record. He also revealed that a back injury suffered just days before the World Championships significantly affected Chopra’s medal chances.
Looking ahead, Chopra plans to take greater control of his coaching direction. Having worked with some of the best coaches in the sport, he now feels confident in applying the most effective elements from each of them. With preparations for the upcoming seasons already underway, Chopra has set his sights on staying healthy, performing consistently, and targeting major events such as the 2027 World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games. Chopra concluded by expressing deep respect and gratitude for Zelezny, calling him not only the greatest javelin thrower of all time but also a lifelong friend.