New Delhi: Star javeliner Neeraj Chopra has penned an emotional note for his coach Klaus Bartonietz, whose association with him has come to an end after five fruitful years.
The German decided not to renew his contract once it ended after the Paris Olympics as he wants to be close to his family.
He had joined as a biomechanics expert but he later became Chopra’s coach after Uwe Hohn left after disagreements with the Athletics Federation of India and Sports Authority of India.
Under the 75-year-old’s guidance, Chopra turned into an Olympic, World and Asian Games champion. He also won the Diamond League and claimed a silver medal at the Paris 2024 after winning gold at Tokyo 2020.
“I write this without knowing where to begin. Coach, you are more than just a mentor to me. Everything you taught has helped me grow both as an athlete and person.
“You have gone out of your way to make sure I was mentally and physically prepared for every competition,” Chopra wrote on X on Wednesday.
“You stood by me through injury. You were there through the highs, and you were there even more through the lows.”
I write this without knowing where to begin.
Coach, you are more than just a mentor to me. Everything you taught has helped me grow both as an athlete and person. You have gone out of your way to make sure I was mentally and physically prepared for every competition. You stood… pic.twitter.com/kJxaPqmHmm
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) November 6, 2024
Chopra added that Bartonietz’s influence went beyond technical and tactical inputs, also helping him grows as an individual.
“You were one of the quietest in the stands, but your words to me rang the loudest in my ears when I threw. I will miss the pranks and the laughs we shared, but more than anything, I will miss US as a team.
“Thank you for being a part of my journey. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of yours,” he added.
New coach to be named soon
A replacement for Bartonietz would be named by the end of the year, Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair said.
“Yes, Dr Klaus will no longer be Neeraj’s coach. The AFI and Neeraj will together look for a coach for him,” Nair told PTI.
“Probably, we may have a coach for him before the end of this year. He (Dr Klaus) wants to be with his family. His contract with Neeraj has ended after the Paris Olympics.”
Neeraj Chopra and his coach for five years Klaus Bartonietz have gone their separate ways after the Paris Olympics Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
