India’s star javelin thrower and two-time Olympic medallist, Neeraj Chopra, has been a trailblazer in the world of athletics. With his exceptional wins on the global stage, Neeraj has become one of India’s most celebrated athletes. As the 2025 season approaches, Neeraj has confirmed that he will be training under a new coach, Jan Zelezny, marking the latest chapter in his search for greater success. Three-time Olympic gold medallist Zelezny, regarded as the greatest javelin thrower of the modern era, will guide Neeraj through his upcoming seasons.
Neeraj’s career has been shaped by the influence of several coaches who helped him grow into the champion he is today. Despite his numerous accolades, Neeraj continues to push himself to surpass the 90-meter mark, which remains a goal that dodges him. His decision to train under Zelezny, a coach known for his outstanding track record with world-class athletes, shows his determination to achieve even greater heights in the sport. Let’s take a look at Neeraj Chopra’s coach’s progression.
The Early Years: Indian coaches who shaped Neeraj (2011–2016)
Like many Indian athletes, Neeraj Chopra started his journey in javelin under the guidance of Indian coaches. These formative years were crucial in laying the foundation for his later success on the international stage.
- Jaiveer Singh (2011–2016): Jaiveer Singh was the first coach to introduce Neeraj to javelin, helping him build his skills in the early years. During this time, Neeraj quickly rose to prominence at the national level.
- Kashinath Naik (2016–2017): Coach Kashinath Naik, a Commonwealth Games medal winner, took over Neeraj’s training in 2016. Under Naik’s mentorship, Neeraj honed his skills and improved his physical conditioning, including his diet, which was instrumental in building his strength and confidence.
The shift to foreign coaches: Taking talent to excellence (2017–2024)
In 2017, Neeraj Chopra began working with foreign coaches, a move that marked a turning point in his career. His collaboration with top international trainers helped him refine his technique and achieve historic results.
- Gary Calvert (2017): Gary Calvert, the head coach of the javelin team at the time, played a pivotal role in Neeraj’s early years with foreign coaches. Under Calvert’s guidance, Neeraj achieved a historic gold medal at the World U20 Championships in Poland, setting a junior world record with a throw of 86.48m.
- Tragically, Calvert passed away suddenly from a heart attack while coaching the Chinese team in Beijing. His death was a significant loss to Neeraj, who had begun to make waves on the international scene under Calvert’s mentorship.
- Uwe Hohn (2017–2021): Following Calvert’s untimely passing, Uwe Hohn, a legendary figure in javelin who set a world record of 104.8m in 1984, took over as Neeraj’s coach. Hohn’s expertise helped Neeraj improve his technique, and under his mentorship, Neeraj won gold medals at the 2018 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. However, Neeraj and Hohn had to part ways due to the Athletics Federation of India’s decision not to extend Hohn’s contract.
The rise to global stardom: Arrival of Dr Klaus Bartonietz (2019–2024)
From 2019 to 2024, Neeraj Chopra continued his journey towards global dominance with the help of biomechanics expert Dr Klaus Bartonietz. Bartonietz played a crucial role in refining Neeraj’s technique, allowing him to achieve some of his career-defining moments.
- Dr Klaus Bartonietz (2019–2024): Under Bartonietz’s mentorship, Neeraj secured gold medals at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou. He also won the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and the Diamond League title in 2022. Neeraj’s consistent success during this period was a result of Bartonietz’s coaching. However, after the Paris 2024 Olympics, the 75-year-old German coach decided to step down to focus on family commitments, marking the end of a Goated partnership.
A new era: Neeraj ft. Jan Zelezny (2025–2026)
Now, as Neeraj looks ahead to the 2025 athletics season, he has teamed up with Jan Zelezny, the Czech javelin legend who holds the world record for the javelin throw at 98.48m. Zelezny, who won three Olympic gold medals (Barcelona 1992, Atlanta 1996, Sydney 2000), is regarded as one of the greatest javelin throwers in history. He has also coached some of the best javelin athletes, including Jakub Vadlejch, who won silver at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, and Vítezslav Vesely, who secured bronze at the same event.
Zelezny’s coaching philosophy and wealth of experience make him an ideal mentor for Neeraj as he aims for even greater achievements. Neeraj and Zelezny will work together for the 2025-2026 seasons, though their partnership will not extend through the entire Olympic cycle.
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