New Delhi: Fine-tuning of his throwing routine under his new coach would enable him to break the much-desired 90m mark, believes India’s javelin hero Neeraj Chopra.
The Tokyo Olympics gold medallist has begun training under former Olympic and world champion Jan Zelezny before the start of the new season after a six-year tenure with Klaus Bartonietz.
Often considered the greatest javelin thrower of the modern era, Zelezny holds the world record (98.48m) for the farthest throw and Chopra hopes that expertise would held his surpass his mark of 89.94m, achieved in 2022.
Chopra’s season begins in May and said Zelezny has identified technical mistakes and suggested adjustments to improve his throwing routine.
“I believe a 90+ throw is happening soon. He (Jan Zelezny) has made some technical adjustments in my game. He (Zelezny) feels that his tweaks would help me. I’ve been able to understand what he expects from me,” the 26-year-old told India Today.
“One of the mistakes that he told me about was how I was throwing very low even in Paris and that I was leaning towards the left. If I am able to incorporate those changes, I think I will get a lot better.”
‘Winning far more important than 90m’
Chopra followed up on his gold in Tokyo 2020 with a silver in Paris 2024. He has captured a World Championship gold medal, Asian Games gold and Commonwealth Games gold to be India’s most successful track and field athlete.
The Panipat-born Chopra said that his primary aim remains to win medals rather than improving his personal best throw.
“I want to do it myself. But, going to a competition and winning a medal against people who have previously thrown 90 meters is even more important. There’s no point in throwing 90 meters and not winning,” he said.
“What if everyone throws 90+ there and despite throwing 90, you don’t win? I want to throw more than 90 meters; everyone believes I can do that. Klaus (Bartoniet, his former coach) believed it, Zelezny believes it.
“It will come off if I can fix the javelin line. I am giving my 100 percent, and that is important for me,” he added.
He has been bothered by a groin injury for sometime and is currently undergoing exercises prescribed by a doctor on Zelezny’s recommendation.
Chopra will return to competitive action after marrying former tennis player Himani Mor last month in a closely-guarded affair.
Neeraj Chopra began training under former Olympic and world champion Jan Zelezny before the start of the new season Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
