Neeraj Chopra breaks down technique tweaks he's working on, reveals his next target

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra is expected to return to action next month in Silesia Diamond League.

Fresh from his win at the NC Classic in Bengaluru, Neeraj Chopra has now set focus on the upcoming World Athletics Championships in September, where he would be defending his title.

Chopra was crowned the World Champion in 2023 edition Budapest with a best throw of 88.17m, beating rivals Jakub Vadlejch (86.67m) of Czech Republic and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem (87.82m) to a maiden Worlds title. It also made Chopra the first-ever Indian win to win gold in the prestigious event.

He has since successfully defended his Asian Games gold, won a second Olympic medal and breached the elusive 90m mark. But for Chopra, consistency is far more important than a one-time high.

It is why he’s working on changing his technique under new coach and javelin legend Jan Zelezny—a three-time Olympic champion and World Record holder in men’s javelin. “Will lead to a big improvement,” said Chopra, who threw the first 90m+ throw of his career at the Doha Diamond League earlier this year.

In Gurugram for the opening of Under Armour store, Chopra laid down and explained the major flaw in his technique and the work he and his coach are doing to better it.

He also spoke about the success of the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic, the work behind it, the emotions of his family watching him in action and more. Here are some excerpts.

Q: Your recently organised the Neeraj Chopra Classic. How was the experience, given you had to micro-manage everything yourself?

Neeraj Chopra: I didn’t know how it would be. There was pressure because my name is associated with the competition. I was working on every small details—from food to rooms, making sure athletes were picked up and dropped off on time. I wanted everyone to get the best.

On the day of the competition, sometimes after throws the javelins were being retrieved slowly, so I asked the team to bring them manually and quickly because the athletes needed to throw.

Normally as an athlete, when I compete, I don’t usually indulge in these things because the mindset is different then, but here it felt like I had invited someone at my home for dinner. So, I wanted everything to be perfect.

Q: How did it feel to have your family watch an event of yours for the first time and what was their reaction?

Neeraj Chopra: My family had come to Bengaluru to watch me in action for the first time. They usually watch the videos at home, but seeing it live was a different experience for them and me. My mother got emotional and started crying when I fell during my first throw. My sister also cried, and my grandfather, who’s over 75, took his first flight to see me.”

The throw that helped Neeraj Chopra to victory at NC Classic 2025! 🔥🔥Hear the crowd roar 📢#NeerajChopraClassic #JavelinThrow pic.twitter.com/NkchdMH6ia

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) July 5, 2025

Q: How does it feel training under the legendary Jan Zelezny?

Neeraj Chopra: He’s taken good care of me. Recently when we were in Czech Republic [for Ostrava Golden Spike competition], he accompanied me whenever I needed to go somewhere. The coach has been focusing on my technique, and I tend to apply it well during training but not so much during competitions.

I have just started training under him, so sometimes there’s a mix of the old and new techniques leading to problems.

I feel that if I can apply the technique I use in training during competitions, it will lead to a big improvement.

Q: What is the biggest change that you have made in technique under Jan Zelezny?

Neeraj Chopra: I tend to drift too much to the left during my throws. The coach is working a lot with me on that. He keeps telling me not to shift left and in training I do it well, but struggle during competitions due to the extra effort I put in.

We’re also working on my run-up, with which I have struggled in some competitions—especially in Bengaluru where there was a lot of headwind. I am trying to stay on my toes as much as possible in the run-up to the throw and maintain or increase the speed during the cross-step. It worked out well in Paris and Doha but not in all competitions.

Also Read: ‘Not happy with performance, but satisfied with win’: Neeraj Chopra reacts after first edition of NC Classic 2025

Q: Your coach Jan Zelezny is a javelin legend. What did he say about the NC Classic and the reception of the event itself?

Neeraj Chopra: He was very happy. He kept thanking me for bringing the javelin tournament to India and organising the event with so many athletes. Being a world record holder himself and someone who has dedicated his life to javelin, it meant a lot for us to have him there.

Q: As a young athlete, you always looked up to Jan Zelezny. And now an entire generation of budding athletes are looking at you as their idol. How do you see this transition?

Neeraj Chopra: I hope that someone goes further than I just like someone is trying to surpass Usain Bolt. I want the next generation of Indian athletes to be even better—both physically and mentally strong, and full of belief.

Q: The Olympics is always the big goal. But how do you balance that with the other competitions like the World Championships?

Neeraj Chopra: Olympics is definitely the big picture, but I try not to think about it too early. My focus right now is on the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo and we’re planning all our training and competitions around that—including which Diamond League events to participate in.

Also Read: What is Neeraj Chopra’s diet plan? All you need to know about two-time Olympic medalist’s meal

Q: You’ve had some long-standing issues with your elbow and groin. How are you healing now?

Neeraj Chopra: The groin is better now. The doctor who treated me in Prague [he had also treated Zelezny in the past] suggested some exercises and movements and they have helped a lot.

Like I said before, we’re working on adjusting the technique. Earlier I would take longer cross-steps, but now we’re trying to do shorter and faster ones to avoid stretching the groin. It is helping. However, unlearning the old technique and learning a new one at this stage is tough, but I’m trying my best.

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