After tough 2025, Neeraj Chopra splits with coach Jan Zelezny, says will take ‘lead in shaping his coaching direction’

Chopra, however, reflected fondly on his time with Zelezny, an athlete he had admired since childhood. He said Zeleny gave him a completely new ‘toolbox of exercises, technical ideas, and fresh perspectives’. “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.”

Zelezny, 59, 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.

During his time with Zelezny, Chopra said he wasn’t able to ‘fully replicate the changes in technique during competitions’. Consequently, he was mixing the techniques he learnt under his former coach, Klaus Bartonietz, and Zelezny. Under the Czech javelin great, Chopra tried avoiding leaning to the left at the release point and aiming for a seamless transition from the running phase to the cross-step as part of changes to his technique. Trying to use shorter cross-steps to avoid staining his groin was also a focus. However, he didn’t get comfortable with the changes.

“I am not able to fully replicate the changes in technique during a competition because it is taking time. I am doing a mix of new and old techniques. I feel if I can replicate the technique that I do in training in competition, then I will get very good results,” Neeraj had said back then.

Zelezny, in a statement on Saturday, said Chopra has huge potential for the coming years. “Our relationship is very positive also on the human side, and we will continue to stay in touch, we will definitely meet at some training camp or, for example, on vacation with our families in Europe or India,” Zelezny said.

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.