Latest news with #Zelezny
Daily Tribune
12-07-2025
- Sport
- Daily Tribune
India's Chopra wants coach Zelezny's big-stage mindset
India's Olympic javelin gold medallist Neeraj Chopra said yesterday he hoped his coaching switch continues to pay off as he aims to retain his world title. Chopra joined Czech javelin legend Jan Zelezny's coaching group ahead of the 2025 season and last weekend won the inaugural edition of the Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, stretching his streak of top-two finishes to 25 events. 'He always performed in big tournaments and I am trying to pick his mindset of a bigstage performer and that will help me,' Chopra told reporters yesterday at an event organised by one of his sponsors near New Delhi. 'The main target this year is the Tokyo World Championships and we are working towards it.' The World Championships are in September. The 27-year-old Chopra won an Olympic gold in Tokyo in 2021 and silver in Paris last year. He took the last world title in Budapest in 2023. Zelezny won four Olympic medals, three of them gold, and three world titles in a career that lasted more than 20 years. 'I am happy to work with him because he has been a consistent performer,' Chopra said. 'He is a very good coach. He has been a good athlete and is very helpful as a person.' Chopra passed 90 metres for the first time when he threw 90.23m in the Doha Diamond League meeting in May - only to finish second to German Julian Weber. Zelezny 'is working on my technique', Chopra said, adding that he was taking time to adapt. 'In training it is good but I have still not been able to grasp and implement his styles on competition days. I get mixed with the old and the new styles, but hopefully I will get the hang of it and it will bear results.' Chopra's success, his boyish looks and his mop of hair have made him a sex symbol in India. His 2021 victory was India's first Olympic track and field gold. He said he hopes to start a dynasty.
Indian Express
11-07-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Neeraj Chopra says he's still mixing up new and old technique after coach Jan Zelezny suggests changes
Able to replicate in competition the technique changes honed during practice, as suggested by his coach Jan Zelezny, is the key to consistent bigger throws, World Champion Neeraj Chopra said on Friday. Neeraj, 27, the current world champion, is fresh after winning the NC Classic, an event he hosted in Bengaluru. With Zelezny coming on board as coach at the start of the season, Neeraj is trying to avoid leaning to the left at the release point and aiming for a seamless transition from the running phase to the cross-step as part of changes to his technique. Trying to use shorter cross-steps to avoid staining his groin is also a focus. Presently, he's yet to get comfortable with the changes. 'I am not able to fully replicate the changes in technique during a competition because it is taking time. I am doing a mix of new and old techniques. I feel if I can replicate the technique that I do in training in competition, then I will get very good results,' Neeraj said on the sidelines of a promotional event for one of his sponsors. The major change that he needs to implement is being more upright at the point of release. Because he leans to the left, he is not able to transfer his full power to the javelin when he releases it. 'I go towards the left a lot if you see my throws. We are focussing on not going towards the left. I waste a lot of power and strength (when I go towards the left) that can be transferred into the javelin. In training, I am able to follow the (new) technique. I am also working a lot on the run-up. The run-up was very good in the Paris Diamond League and the Doha Diamond League but in Bengaluru (NC Classic) it wasn't great because of the headwind. In Ostrava I felt like I would throw well, but the run-up wasn't the best. I am trying to ensure a smooth transition between the running phase and the cross-step phase… like a single flow,' Neeraj explained. A groin strain that has troubled him over the years has not been an issue this season. Neeraj credits staying pain-free to the exercises a doctor in Prague recommended. He also someone Zelezny had consulted, And taking shorter cross steps has helped. 'This year my groin is fine. In January, I was in Prague, and the coach took me to a doctor who had treated him. The doctor asked to do some exercises and that has helped. And the technique that I am trying is also good. Earlier when I did the cross step, I used to take long steps, now I take smaller steps and because of that there is less stress on the groin,' Neeraj said. He had spoken about being frustrated with this particular niggling issue after his silver medal at Paris Olympics last year. Talking about how coach Zelezny reacts based on his performances, Neeraj said the world record holder is 'very patient'. 'When I do well he is happy and when I don't, he says it is ok, we still have time. This year's main target is the Tokyo World Championships,' Neeraj said. The world champion and double Olympic medalist will be based in Prague and Nymburk in the Czech Republic for the next two months ahead of the World Championships in Tokyo, which starts on September 13. He will travel overseas with the satisfaction of hosting a successful inaugural NC Classic with a turnout of nearly 15,000. 'I was wondering if it will be successful, will people come to watch? But almost a 15,000-plus crowd was there. People enjoyed and loved the event. The experience was different, and I was a little worried because the competition was named after me. I was working on all the small details. I felt like I had invited everyone for a meal at my home,' Neeraj said. His family was also in Bengaluru to watch the NC Classic, a memory Neeraj will cherish. 'My mother started crying when I fell after my first throw. She keeps asking me why I lift such heavy weights in training. But that is how mothers are. My dadaji (grandfather) was also there, he took his first flight, he is 70-plus now.'
India Today
11-07-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Neeraj Chopra working on new technique for bigger throws: I was wasting lot of power
Double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra said on Friday, June 11 that he was trying to perfect his new technique under the watchful eyes of his coach, the legendary Jan Zelezny. Speaking at an Under Armour event in Gurgaon, Neeraj said that Zelezny had spotted a major flaw in his technique, which was wasting a lot of his raw who recently crossed the 90m barrier, said that he tends to fall towards his left side while throwing the javelin, which wastes a lot of strength that he builds up during his run-up. Neeraj said that if he is able to perfect his new technique and remain consistent, he would be able to throw further in the future. Neeraj said that his ultimate goal was to further his best distance (90.23m) by 1 or 2 coach is very good, he has been a very good, legendary athlete. As a person also, he is very helpful. He is working a lot on my technique," Neeraj said in a media round table in Gurgaon's Ambience Mall. "While throwing the javelin, I tend to fall too much on my left side. I waste a lot of power and strength while doing that. In training we identify those problems, but in competition I am not able to follow that," he up Old and New Technique: Neeraj ChopraNeeraj explained that while he is doing well in training, he has not been able to consistently repeat that in competition."I do well in training, but in competitions I am not able to get the technique right. I tend to mix up old and new technique," he coach, Jan Zelezny, is a three-time Olympic and World Champion and the current world record holder. He is revered as one of the greatest javelin throwers in history, a figure Neeraj Chopra has long had opened up in February 2025, explaining how Zelezny had tweaked his technique in a bid to improve his throwing distance. Under Zelezny's training, Chopra broke the 90m barrier in the Doha Diamond League. Courtesy: PTI Neeraj said that while he has had success under the new coaching team, he has not been able to live up to the mark in all competitions."In some competitions like the Paris Diamond League and Doha Diamond League, it was good, but in Bengaluru it wasn't because there was a bit of headwind also. In Ostrava, I had the feeling that I could throw well, but the run-up and technique weren't good," he double Olympic medallist said he also needs to work on his consistency to hit the 90-mark more often."I have achieved 90m this year. But I need to be more consistent to achieve it more often. I am continuously around 88–89m, and my coach said he is happy, but I need to be more consistent," Chopra said during the launch of the Under Armour store at the Ambience Mall also touched upon his goals in the near future. The star athlete said that his next big goal is to finish on top of the podium at the World Athletics Championships to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21 this year."My next target is the World Championships and I want to win there. Before the World Championships, I will plan with my coach and see which event I can compete in to best prepare for it," Chopra concluded.- EndsTrending Reel
Hans India
01-07-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Want Tendulkar's ‘superpower' to help me handle challenges
New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra says he is 'slowly understanding the concept of flow' after his celebrated coach Jan Zelezny advised him to run like an 18-year-old 'without any tension' before launching his javelin. The 27-year-old Chopra, a double Olympic medallist, also said he would want to have cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's 'superpower' to help him handle challenges with a calm mindset. He said the best advice he has received on and off the field was from Czech legend Zelezny, who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 98.48m. 'Whenever I throw, I stay very energetic, but he (Zelezny) tells me I need to run in a flow. It shouldn't feel tight - I should run like an 18-year-old kid without any tension. I'm slowly understanding the concept of flow,' Chopra told Star Sports and JioHotstar. 'I think that in any sport, flow is very important. For example, Roger Federer - he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort. I'm trying to bring that into my training.' Asked which cricketer's superpower he would like to have for throwing his javelin, Chopra said, 'Sachin Tendulkar. He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally.' 'I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset,' said Chopra who is hosting NC Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event. The world champion Indian, who joined the 90m club headed by Zelezny at the Doha Diamond League in May, said the legendary MS Dhoni's 'Helicopter Shot' resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and technique. Asked which cricketer he thinks would be able to throw the javelin, Chopra said, 'I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years. 'I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.' Asked whether he's superstitious, Chopra said, 'I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.' After throwing 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League for a second place finish on May 16, Chopra won the Paris DL title with an effort of 88.16m. He then won the Golden Spike Ostrava title with a throw of 85.29m on June 24.
NDTV
01-07-2025
- Sport
- NDTV
Not Virat Kohli Or MS Dhoni, Neeraj Chopra Wants Special Superpower From This Iconic India Cricketer
Neeraj Chopra says he is "slowly understanding the concept of flow" after his celebrated coach Jan Zelezny advised him to run like an 18-year-old "without any tension" before launching his javelin. The 27-year-old Chopra, a double Olympic medallist, also said he would want to have cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's "superpower" to help him handle challenges with a calm mindset. He said the best advice he has received on and off the field was from Czech legend Zelezny, who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 98.48m. "Whenever I throw, I stay very energetic, but he (Zelezny) tells me I need to run in a flow. It shouldn't feel tight - I should run like an 18-year-old kid without any tension. I'm slowly understanding the concept of flow," Chopra told Star Sports and JioHotstar. "I think that in any sport, flow is very important. For example, Roger Federer - he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort. I'm trying to bring that into my training." Asked which cricketer's superpower he would like to have for throwing his javelin, Chopra said, "Sachin Tendulkar. He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally." "I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset,' said Chopra who is hosting NC Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event. The world champion Indian, who joined the 90m club headed by Zelezny at the Doha Diamond League in May, said the legendary MS Dhoni's 'Helicopter Shot' resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and technique. Asked which cricketer he thinks would be able to throw the javelin, Chopra said, "I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years. "I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.' Asked whether he's superstitious, Chopra said, "I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.' After throwing 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League for a second place finish on May 16, Chopra won the Paris DL title with an effort of 88.16m. He then won the Golden Spike Ostrava title with a throw of 85.29m on June 24.
