New Delhi: Ahead of a fresh athletics season, two-time Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra has decided to join the training group led by triple Olympic champion Jan Zelezny this winter. The Czech Athletics Federation (CAS) confirmed Chopra’s joining the training program on Friday.
Furthermore, the CAS added that Chopra, who is a Paris silver medalist had expressed his desire to join the training group weeks ahead. Speaking about Neeraj, Zelezny remarked that he is excited to work with the young Indian prodigy and said:
I also said that if I should start to coach somebody from outside Czechia (Republic), my first choice would be Neeraj. I like his story and I see big potential, as he is young and able to improve. There have been many athletes contacting me for coaching, so for me to take this up means that it is a great honour to have him in my team. We are getting to know each other more closely and will start in person at a traditional winter camp in South Africa. I believe in his progress, especially in the technical aspect, so that he can continue achieving top positions at the main championships…
Zelenzy’s unbroken record
Jan Zelenzy is not only a popular name in the Javelin when it comes to coaching. As a player, the Czech international still holds the world record set way back in 1996 of 98,4 m. Apart from this has broken the world record on 4 previous occasions as well.
The legend has also coached renowned javelin exponents like Jakub Vadlejch (Tokyo silver), Vítezslav Vesely (bronze) and two-time Olympic champion and three-time world champion Barbora Potakova. The 58-year-old Zelezny won Olympic gold in Barcelona in 1992, Atlanta in 1996, Sydney in 2000 and silver in Seoul in 1988.
However, Chopra’s arrival did not please his direct rival, the Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch. Jakub was the silver medalist from Tokyo. Subsequently, after being part of the group for 14 long years, the Czech international has decided to part ways.