India's avelin superstar Neeraj Chopra has mutually ended his year-long partnership with the legendary Czech coach Jan Zelezny. This transition occurs as Chopra begins to pivot his focus toward a high-stakes 2026 season, which features major global competitions including the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. While the duo did not specify a exact reason for the split, both parties emphasized the profound mutual respect and the valuable lessons gained during their tenure together.
Neeraj Chopra parts ways with coach Jan Zelezny ahead of Asian Games 2026
Reflecting on the collaboration, Chopra described working with Zelezny—widely considered the greatest javelin thrower in history—as a deeply transformative experience. He noted that the Czech icon provided fresh technical insights, particularly regarding biomechanical efficiency, movement, and rhythm. According to the Olympic champion, every training session offered a more refined perspective on his craft, allowing him to analyze his own technique through the lens of a master.
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Beyond the technical improvements, Chopra highlighted the strong personal connection he forged with his childhood idol. He characterized their bond as something that transcended the typical coach-athlete dynamic, evolving into a meaningful friendship. For Chopra, the opportunity to learn from the character and expertise of someone he had admired for years was just as significant as the on-field coaching he received.
“Working with Jan opened my eyes to so many new ideas. The way he thinks about technique, rhythm and movement is incredible, and I learnt 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,” Chopra said in a release.
Neeraj Chopra's performance under Jan Zelezny
The partnership reached its professional zenith in early 2025 when Chopra finally achieved a long-standing career goal. Under Zelezny’s guidance, he breached the elusive 90-meter barrier for the first time, recording a massive 90.23m throw at the Doha Diamond League. This milestone served as a definitive technical breakthrough, cementing the partnership’s legacy even as Chopra prepares for a new chapter in his career.
Despite the historic start to the year, the remainder of Chopra’s season was defined by uncharacteristic inconsistency. While he managed a solid 88.16m throw to secure a win at the Paris Diamond League, he struggled to replicate that elite form in subsequent outings. The campaign reached a frustrating conclusion at the World Athletics Championships, where an eighth-place finish snapped his incredible, years-long streak of consecutive podium appearances.
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Addressing these fluctuations, Jan Zelezny offered a supportive perspective, noting that the season was still statistically impressive. He pointed out that Chopra finished outside the top two only once all year, suggesting that the disappointment was largely a matter of high expectations. Zelezny specifically identified a back injury sustained just two weeks before the World Championships as the primary culprit, explaining that the physical setback severely compromised Chopra’s preparation and mobility during the final.
“Working with an athlete like Neeraj was a great experience. I’m glad we met and were able to work together, and that I helped him 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 has huge potential for the coming years. Our relationship is very positive on the human side as well, and we will continue to stay in touch. We will definitely meet at some training camp or, for example, on holiday with our families in Europe or India,” Zelezny said.
Moving forward, Chopra has expressed a desire to take a more hands-on approach to his coaching and training direction. With the 2026 calendar featuring both the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, his immediate priority is to rebuild his confidence and restore his trademark consistency on the world stage.
Looking at the bigger picture, the "Golden Boy" of Indian athletics remains focused on his long-term legacy. He has already identified the next World Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Summer Olympics as his primary targets.