After a two-month break following the Brussels Diamond League final, India’s star javelin thrower, Neeraj Chopra, is gearing up for the Los Angeles Olympics in 2028. Later this month, Chopra will travel to Potchefstroom, South Africa, where he will engage in an off-season training program to kick-start his preparations for next year’s competitions.
A month-long training in South Africa
The 26-year-old double Olympic medallist, who last competed in Brussels in September, will spend 31 days training in Potchefstroom. This training stint, which includes Chopra’s accommodation, meals, and training expenses, will be fully funded by India’s Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS).
The Sports Ministry confirmed Chopra’s early preparation plans in a statement, adding, “Neeraj’s training session will be funded by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, and the expenditure will cover his and his physiotherapist’s lodging, boarding, and training costs during his stay in South Africa.”
Potchefstroom: A familiar training ground
Potchefstroom is a familiar venue for Chopra, as he has trained there before major events, including the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. In January 2020, he participated in a competition at the ACNW League Meeting 1 at McArthur Stadium, where he topped the charts with a throw of 87.86m just before the global COVID-19 pandemic.
Overcoming injuries and aiming for a strong comeback
This year, Chopra battled an adductor muscle injury, which impacted his performance at both the Paris Olympics and the Diamond League Final, where he competed with a fractured left hand. Although he previously considered surgery, Chopra downplayed injury concerns in a recent interview, stating, “It was an injury-plagued year, but the injury is fine now. I will be 100 per cent fit for the new season.”
Parting ways with long-time coach Klaus Bartonietz
Chopra recently ended a successful five-year coaching partnership with his German coach Klaus Bartonietz. According to Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair, a new coach for Chopra is expected to be appointed by the end of the year.
Targeting World Championships and the 90m barrier
Next year, Chopra aims to defend his World Championships gold in Tokyo and reach the elusive 90m mark. Chopra, who clinched the World Championship title in Budapest in 2023 with a throw of 88.17m, holds a personal best of 89.94m. At the Paris Olympics, he secured a silver medal with a throw of 89.45m, finishing behind Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who set a new Games record with 92.97m.
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