Neeraj Chopra to dial down coaching time with Jan Zelezny, know why

Star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will not train with his coach Jan Zelezny throughout the year and seek his guidance only when required outgoing Athletics Federation of India AFI president Adille Sumariwalla said on TuesdayChopra roped in threetime Olympic champion and world record holder Zelezny 9848m as his coach in November 2024 setting the ball rolling for the upcoming season where he will defend his world titleZelezny 58 is widely considered the greatest javelin thrower of the modern era The Czech won three Olympic gold medals 1992 1996 2000and as many world titles 1993 1995 2001 in his illustrious careerChopra till recently worked with German biomechanics expert Klaus Bartonietz who also doubled up as his coach Bartonietz was more or less with Chopra throughout the yearThere are different parts to coaching strength conditioning technique biomechanics etc Normally one coach does not look after all of these and help is taken from others These days there is no coach in world which is attached to one athlete for 365 days Sumariwalla said on the opening day of the AFI AGMZelezny will come when he needs to come even if he is not 365 days with Neeraj and that is the way the world is Neeraj has now reached that stage in his life where he needs to take assistance from different segments strength training conditioning biomechanics running and throwing That is the way in future for all the eventsChopra who won a historic gold in the Tokyo Olympics and a silver in Paris Games under Bartonietz is currently training in South Africa without ZeleznyThere were a lot of consultations A lot of coaches were talked to Neeraj himself talked to a lot of coaches and we finally decided on Jan Zelezny said the 67yearold Sumariwalla said about the roping in of the Czech legendSumariwalla who is a member of the powerful executive board of the World Athletics ended his 12year tenure as AFI chief Asian Games goldwinning former shot putter Bahadur Singh Sagoo replaced him in the key postAsked about the aspects of the sport the AFI would have done better during his tenure he said I would have liked more improvement in doping overage issue and overtraining and early specialisation of young athletes I hope the new team will give enough attention on these issuesWe have laid the foundations and the eco system I am sure the new team will take to much higher level We are in the right path and we have to tweak the strategy from time to time depending on the internal and external environment The direction of the AFI is rightIndia is one of the top offenders in the world when it comes to doping and Sumariwalla said The AFI is doing whatever it can do within its legal parameters We can do two things education and policing This has to be done at the state and district level where the problem isWe have been educating the athletes at every national events I myself have conducted sessions on dopingRegarding policing we give intelligence to NADA WADA and AIU We have been requesting NADA from time to time to add more and more name to the Registered Testing Pool and do more out of competition testingHe said a detailed analysis was done by the AFI after the belowpar show at the Paris Olympics where most athletes except for Neeraj Chopra underperformedWe have started taking action on that We have rejigged the mens 4x400m relay team as well as the coaches We have brought is a Jamaican coach we have not renewed the womens coachHe did not commit anything when asked how many track and field athletes will compete in the upcoming National Games in UttarakhandI am not sure how many will take part Its a very crucial year we have World Indoors World Relays Asian and World Championships The calendar has been created for the athletes to peak during the World Championships We will do whatever is necessary to ensure thisI cant say what will happen We will do whatever is the best interest of the country as well as the athletesAsked what role he will play in the AFI in future now that he is no longer its officebearer Sumariwalla said As far as my role is concerned I am not going anywhere I am here to assist Bahadur president certain roles like dealing with World Athletics IOA IOC and MinistryI will continue to assist in these areas under Bahadur including being the AFI spokespersonWith agency inputs