AFI shortlists Russian Sergey Makarov as India's new javelin throw coach: Report

Sergey Makarov is a two-time Olympics and World Championships medalist.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has shortlisted former World champion Sergey Makarov as the top pick for India’s new javelin throw coach. This decision comes after Dr. Klaus Bartonietz, who guided Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra to success, decided to step down.

According to a report in Sportstar, Makarov, a two-time Olympic medalist and 2003 world champion in men’s javelin throw, is AFI’s top pick to replace the outgoing Bartonietz. The 75-year-old Bartonietz from Germany guided Neeraj Chopra to two-Olympic medals before deciding to end their five-year association to spend more time with family back home.

“We would want Makarov to work as a coach with the Indian javelin throwers. But this is pending approval by SAI (Sports Authority of India),” AFI chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair told Sportstar.

Makarov boasts of impressive credentials. The Russian is an Olympic bronze medal winner from the 2000 and 2004 Olympics and gold medalist at the 2003 World championships. His personal best throw of 92.61m slots him the best Russian thrower in history.

Contrary to Bartonietz, who was only working for Chopra, Makarov is hired will train all of India’s javelin throwers. “We didn’t get any coach for Neeraj Chopra. We want Makarov to work with all of India’s throwers,” Nair was quoted as saying in the report.

Bartonietz, 75, had been an important catalyst for Chopra’s success after he was able to overcome his injuries while keeping him consistent at performances. It was during this period under Bartonietz’s training that Chopra won two Olympic medals and gold & silver medals at the World Championships.

That spells the end of a golden five years of association with Neeraj Chopra for the German coach, whose last event with the 26-year-old was the Diamond League Final held in Brussels on September 14 where Chopra finished second with a throw of 87.86m.

Nair also revealed that Bartonietz had first come to AFI in 2018 as a biomechanical expert for all the Indian throwers. “We got Klaus in 2018 as a biomechanical expert and a javelin coach for the Indian throwers. And he was supposed to support the other throwers — the shot put and discus throwers as well — but in 2020, Neeraj opted for him. So, we left him to work with Neeraj,” Nair added.

It is not known whether Chopra will train under Makarov or another coach for overall personal training. But it opens up the possibility for India to build a wider talent base in javelin throw under the tutelage of Makarov.

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