Two-time Olympic medal-winning javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra on Saturday announced an end to his partnership with Czech coach Jan Zelezny after just one season, which the Indian said was marked by “progress, respect, and a shared love for the sport.”
Chopra did not specify the reason for ending the stint with Zelezny, a bonafide legend of the sport who holds the world record for the longest throw (98.48m) and under whose tutelage the Haryana-lad breached the 90m mark last year.
Reflecting on their work, Chopra said to learn directly from an athlete he had admired since childhood was a dream come true and gave him a completely new “toolbox of exercises, technical ideas, and fresh perspectives”.
Jan Zelezny
“Working with Jan opened my eyes to so many new ideas. The way he thinks about technique, rhythm, and movement is incredible, and I learned a lot from every single session we had together,” Chopra said.
“What I’m most proud about is the friendship I’ve built with someone who has been my idol all my life. Jan is not only the best javelin thrower of all time, but also one of the best human beings I have ever met,” he added.
The 59-year-old Zelezny also reflected warmly on the partnership and the progress they made together.
“Working with an athlete like Neeraj was a great experience. I’m glad we met and were able to work together, that I got him to break the 90-metre barrier for the first time. “Apart from the World Championships, he finished at worst second and that is not a bad record. Unfortunately, the back injury 12 days before Tokyo significantly affected his chances,” he said in a press release.
Looking ahead, Chopra said he plans to take the lead in shaping his own coaching direction.
“I’m looking forward to what 2026 has in store. I started my preparation in early November. As always, the goal is to stay healthy, and I am already excited to be competing again soon,” Chopra said.
“At the same time, I’m especially looking ahead to the year with the World Championships in 2027, and the big goal beyond that is the Olympic Games in 2028,” he added.
Highlights of the Chopra-Zelezny partnership
. Chopra breached the coveted 90m mark (90.23m) — only the 25th person to do so — for the first time at the Doha Diamond League in May 2025
. India’s ace javelin thrower won the Paris Diamond League in June 2025 (88.16m), beating Weber after losing to him in the previous two events
. Chopra won the Ostrava Golden Spike meet in Czechia (85.29m)
. The Indian won the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in July, the nation’s first international javelin event, with a throw of 86.16m
. Finished second at the Diamond League Final in Zurich (85.01m)
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