Neeraj Chopra parts ways with coach Klaus Bartonietz

Published at :October 1, 2024 at 11:02 PM

Modified at :October 1, 2024 at 11:03 PM

(Courtesy : Getty Images)

Neeraj Chopra won two Olympic medals among other laurels with Bartoneitz.

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and his coach Klaus Bartonietz are parting ways after a successful five-year association. The German coach, who is 75, has decided to go back home to his homeland for more personal time with family.

Confirming the news to The New Indian Express, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla said that “He told us about this earlier this season because he is also not growing younger. He wanted to spend more time with his family.”

Under Bartonietz’s guidance, Chopra has shown extensive progress. The 26-year-old won gold at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and silver at the 2024 Paris Games. He also clinched gold and silver in successive editions of the World Championships and secured an Asian Games gold medal.

In 2019, Bartonietz joined AFI as a biomechanical expert but took up the role as Neeraj’s coach after the athlete split up with his then coach Uwe Hohn of Germany.

Sumariwalla also said, “We feel that he also needs someone new after spending five years with Klaus. He also would need some changes in his thinking, psychology and even training. I think in a way it might be a good thing for him.”

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The AFI is now on the lookout for a new coach for Chopra. “Together we are looking for a good coach. We are looking for someone with whom Neeraj would be comfortable and are talking to a lot of people. We will get him another good coach soon,” Sumariwalla added.

While Bartonietz has left the Chopra team, the AFI is confident it would be able to retain him for the junior programs. Sumariwalla expressed his interest in continuing their association, saying, “We have not discussed but we would love to continue with our association. I would love to have him in our junior programme, especially the knowledge he has will do wonders with our junior athletes.”

Chopra’s last outing with Bartonietz was in Brussels at the Diamond League Final on September 14, 2024, where he finished second with a throw of 87.86m behind Grenada’s Anderson Peters, whose winning throw went 87.87m. It completed an excellent season for Chopra, who claimed Paris Olympics silver medal, gold in Paavo Nurmi Games, Federation Cup and consistent 1-2 finish throughout the season.

Neeraj Chopra is all set to have a new coach and will soon begin his preparation for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. The biggest task before Chopra, who will be approaching 27 soon, will be to hurdle the 90m mark with his new coach by his side.

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