Indian javelin throw ace Neeraj Chopra has parted ways with Czech coach Jan Zelezny after a year-long stint, which was marked by technical progress but mixed competitive returns.
Though the exact reason for the split wasn’t disclosed, both agreed to part ways mutually and on good terms.
“Working with Jan opened my eyes to so many new ideas,” Neeraj Chopra said. “The way he thinks about technique, rhythm, and movement is incredible, and I learned a lot from every single session we had together.
“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.
Zelezny, too, was respectful of his former student.
“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,” Zelezny said.
“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,” he added.
Neeraj and Zelezny were originally slated to work together until the end of the 2026 season.
Neeraj had linked up with Zelezny after German biomechanics expert Dr Klaus Bartonietz, who guided him to the gold medal in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a silver at Paris 2024 as well as the World Championships title in 2023, stepped away from his role due to old age towards the end of 2024.
A three-time Olympic and world champion and the current javelin throw world record holder, Zelezny is considered amongst the greatest athletes in the sport. He had also coached Olympic medallists like Jakub Vadlejch, Vítezslav Vesely and Barbora Spotakova before guiding Neeraj.
Zelezny made certain technical adjustments to Neeraj’s technique and the Tokyo 2020 champion reaped immediate results as he breached the 90m mark for the first time at the 2025 Doha Diamond League in May last year.
With the Czech legend guiding him, Neeraj also won the Paris Diamond League, Ostrava Golden Spike and the inaugural NC Classic at home while finishing second at the Janusz Kusocinski Memorial and Diamond League Final.
However, Neeraj did suffer from fitness issues and injuries throughout the campaign, one which he finished with a rather disappointing eighth-place finish at the Tokyo World Championships. The Indian was competing with a back injury there.
Neeraj ended his season to focus on his recovery after the outing.
The Indian athlete has also revealed that he is already looking forward to the 2026 season and had begun preparations in early November. He also stressed that staying healthy remained his top priority as he looks forward to returning to competition.
With an eye on the longer term, he said his focus is firmly on the 2027 World Championships, with the LA 2028 Olympics as the ultimate target.