Double Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra announced on Saturday his new partnership with javelin legend Jan Zelezny, who has joined as his new coach.
Zelezny, a three-time Olympic and World Champion and the current world record holder, is revered as one of the greatest javelin throwers in history, a figure Neeraj Chopra has long idolized.
“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 honor 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 in his announcement.
Železn½, known for his technical brilliance and competitive drive, holds the current javelin world record of 98.48m, set in 1996. His name remains synonymous with excellence in the sport, having achieved multiple Olympic titles and World Championships, as well as setting four world records during his career.
The decision to team up with Zelezny comes as Neeraj aims to refine his technique and build on his already impressive career achievements. With their similar throwing styles, Chopra views the collaboration as a strategic step toward new heights in his performance.
Železn½ shared his own excitement about coaching Chopra, stating, “I have spoken about Neeraj as a great talent many years ago. When I saw him early in his career, I realized 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.”
Their training is set to begin with a winter camp in South Africa, a traditional setting where Železn½ has previously trained and coached other top javelin athletes. His track record includes mentoring Czech javelin stars Jakub Vadlejch and Vtezslav Vesel½, who won silver and bronze medals respectively in Tokyo 2020, where Chopra took home the gold. Železn½ has also guided Czech javelin legend Barbora Å potáková, a two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion.