Russian Sergey Makarov to join as India's javelin coach: Reports

The Olympic bronze winner will guide athletes at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala camp.

According to reports, Russian javelin legend Sergey Makarov will become India’s new javelin throwing coach. This marks a big change in the country’s athletics program after Klaus Bartonietz, who led Neeraj Chopra to Olympic success, left.

The Olympic bronze winner will guide 29 athletes, including 15 javelin throwers, at the National Institute of Sports (NIS) Patiala camp. The group includes rising stars like Rohit Yadav, Uttam Patil, Parmod, former Asian Games medalist Annu Rani, and Commonwealth Games silver medalist Shivpal Singh.

Makarov brings top-notch skills to India’s throwing program. He won gold at the 2003 World Championship in Paris Olympic bronze in Sydney 2000 and Athens 2004, and a 2005 World Championship bronze in Helsinki. His best throw of 92.61m at the 2002 Sheffield Norwich Union Classic puts him eighth on the all-time list showing his deep knowledge of the sport.

🚨#BREAKING: Sergey Makarov, Russia's javelin legend, to join as India's new javelin coach in the next 2 weeks! 🇮🇳➡️ He will head to the NIS Patiala camp, where AFI has allocated 29 throwers (15 Javelin throwers), including both men and women.➡️ Makarov will train both Men's… https://t.co/LQ6iPMh7f7 pic.twitter.com/PjkhFaWafY

— nnis Sports (@nnis_sports) January 3, 2025

India chose Makarov after its recent success in javelin throwing. Neeraj Chopra started this trend with his historic Olympic gold in Tokyo 2021. He then did well at the 2022 World Championships, 2023 Asian Games and Silver in Paris Olympics. Under Bartonietz, Chopra became India’s first Olympic gold medalist in athletics.

Also Read: Who is Sergey Makarov? All you need to know about India’s likely next javelin throw coach

The Russian coach’s pick shows a change in strategy from Bartonietz’s Chopra-centered method to a wider program to grow India’s expanding group of javelin throwers. Makarov comes from a family of athletes – his dad Aleksandr got Olympic silver in 1980, and his wife Oksana Ovchinnikova once held the Russian women’s javelin record.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) made this choice as India tries to build on its recent throwing wins. Makarov’s main job will be to keep India’s success going in big contests while helping new throwers improve.

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