New Delhi, Feb 18: Neeraj Chopra, the star javelin thrower with two Olympic medals to his name, has disclosed that his new coach, Jan Zelezny, has identified errors in his technique and is set to implement adjustments to enhance his throwing routine, aiming to reach the coveted 90m distance that the Indian athlete has been pursuing for some time.
The 26-year-old spoke to India Today, revealing details about his discreet wedding to former tennis player Himani Mor last month, mentioning that what started as a casual friendship eventually blossomed into love.
Chopra has been striving to achieve the 90m mark, with his personal best being 89.94m, recorded in 2022. The new season will kick off in May with the Diamond League, marking the beginning of his competitive collaboration with Zelezny, a former Olympic and world champion, who currently holds the world record at 98.48m.
“I am confident that a 90+ throw is on the horizon. Jan Zelezny has made some technical modifications to my approach,” Chopra stated.
“He believes that his adjustments will be beneficial for me. I’ve been able to grasp his expectations. One mistake he pointed out was that I was throwing too low even during the Paris event and leaning towards the left.
“If I can integrate those changes, I anticipate substantial improvement,” he elaborated.
However, the athlete from Panipat emphasized that this milestone is not as crucial as winning medals for India.
“I want to achieve it for myself. Yet, competing and securing a medal against rivals who have previously thrown over 90 meters is significantly more important. There’s little value in throwing 90 meters if you do not secure a victory.
“What if everyone else also throws over 90 meters and despite my 90 throw, I don’t win? I aspire to exceed 90 meters; many, including Klaus (Bartoniet, his previous coach) and Zelezny, believe I have the capability.
“I will succeed if I can correct my javelin trajectory. I am wholly dedicated, which is most important to me,” he added.
Chopra also addressed the groin injury that affected his performance last year, mentioning that he consulted a doctor recommended by Zelezny in Prague.
“The groin issue has plagued me for an extended period. My injury has hindered my ability to execute my technique effectively. After visiting Zelezny’s doctor in Prague, I was advised some exercises. I’m actively working on them, hoping they yield results and enable me to perform at my best,” he said.
We gradually fell in love
Discussing his surprising marriage, Chopra shared that both he and Mor desired a private ceremony, which is why they opted for a small town near Solan.
“I was familiar with her background, as she also comes from a family involved in sports. Her parents were kabaddi players, while her brothers excelled in boxing and wrestling,” Chopra explained.
“She was a tennis player as well but shifted her focus to academics after sustaining injuries,” he added.
Reflecting on how their relationship evolved, Chopra noted the ease of connection due to their shared experiences as athletes.
“Given our families’ sports backgrounds, we had plenty of chances to meet. Our discussions initiated as two athletes interacting casually, but gradually, we fell in love,” he remarked.
The wedding photos, which Chopra shared on social media shortly after the ceremony, created a sensation online.
Even though the wedding was an intimate affair with only family present, Chopra stated that most close friends were aware of his marriage and that he plans to host a celebration for those who couldn’t attend.
“…Our families and friends were in the loop. I wanted to resume training since the season was approaching. I thought it would be easier to plan after the season. Inviting everyone would have taken considerable time,” he clarified. (PTI)
