Two-time Olympic medal-winning javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra said on Saturday that he was ending his collaboration with Czech coach Jan Zelezny after just one season, which the Indian claimed was characterized by “progress, respect, and a shared love for the sport.”
The Haryana-born athlete broke the 90-meter mark last year under the guidance of Zelezny, a true great of the sport who holds the world record. Chopra did not explain why the stint ended.
Thinking back on their work, Chopra said it was a dream come true to receive direct instruction from an athlete he had looked up to since he was a young boy and that it provided him with an entirely new “toolbox of exercises, technical ideas, and fresh perspectives”.
“Working with Jan opened my eyes to so many new ideas. The way he thinks about technique, rhythm, and movement is incredible, and I learned a lot from every single session we had together. What I’m most proud about is the friendship I’ve built with someone who has been my idol all my life. Jan is not only the best javelin thrower of all time, but also one of the best human beings I have ever met,” a PTI report quoted Chopra as saying.
Zelezny, 59, also expressed gratitude for their collaboration and the progress they achieved together.
“Working with an athlete like Neeraj was a great experience. I’m glad we met and were able to work together, that I got him to break the 90-metre barrier for the first time. Apart from the World Championships, he finished at worst second and that is not a bad record. Unfortunately, the back injury 12 days before Tokyo significantly affected his chances,” he said in a press release.
Chopra has enormous promise for the upcoming years, according to Zelezny.
“Our relationship is very positive also on the human side and we will continue to stay in touch, we will definitely meet at some training camp or, for example, on vacation with our families in Europe or India,” Zelezny said.
Chopra stated that he intends to take the initiative in determining his own coaching path going forward.
“I’m looking forward to what 2026 has in store. I started my preparation in early November. As always, the goal is to stay healthy, and I am already excited to be competing again soon. At the same time, I’m especially looking ahead to the year with the World Championships in 2027, and the big goal beyond that is the Olympic Games in 2028,” Chopra said.
After reaching a 90-meter high in the Doha Diamond League the previous year, Chopra had finished eighth in the world event.
