Neeraj Chopra Eyes 90m Mark with Jan Zelezny’s Technical Tweaks, Prioritizes Medals Over Distance

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra has revealed that his new coach, Jan Zelezny, the world record holder with a staggering 98.48m throw, has identified key areas for improvement that could elevate his performance.

With a personal best of 89.94m, Chopra has long pursued the coveted 90m mark, and he now believes that Zelezny's technical insights might be the key to achieving it. "I believe a 90+ throw is happening soon," Chopra expressed with optimism.

Technical Adjustments for Greater Distance

Since taking over as Chopra's coach, Zelezny has made some refinements to his technique that he believes will help the reigning Olympic champion achieve even greater distances.

"He has made some technical adjustments in my game," Chopra noted. "He feels that his tweaks would help me. I've been able to understand what he expects from me."

One of the crucial aspects Zelezny highlighted was Chopra's lack of elevation in his throws, along with a tendency to lean towards the left while releasing the javelin.

"One of the mistakes that he told me about was how I was throwing very low even in Paris and that I was leaning towards the left," the Khandra-born athlete explained. "If I am able to incorporate those changes, I think I will get a lot better."

Medals Matter More Than Distance

While the Tokyo Olympic gold medallist is eager to surpass the 90m mark, he reiterated that his priority remains winning medals for India rather than just personal records.

"I want to do it myself. But, going to a competition and winning a medal against people who have previously thrown 90 meters is even more important. There's no point in throwing 90 meters and not winning," Chopra stated.

He further emphasized that achieving the milestone should contribute to success at major events.

"What if everyone throws 90+ there and despite throwing 90, you don't win? I want to throw more than 90 meters; everyone believes I can do that. Klaus Bartoniet believed it, and Zelezny believes it."

Overcoming Challenges and Injury Concerns

Apart from technical refinements, Chopra also mentioned his ongoing groin injury, which has been a concern for some time. Despite this, he remains determined to push his limits and fine-tune his technique under Zelezny's guidance.

With a clear roadmap in place and the expertise of one of the greatest javelin throwers of all time, Neeraj Chopra looks well on course to finally breach the 90m barrier while continuing to bring glory to Indian athletics.