How training with Uwe John helped Sandeep Chaudhary rediscover throwing impulse, unlock new level

Sandeep won his third World Championships medal in the 2025 edition.

A former world champion, Sandeep Chaudhary bagged silver in the men’s javelin throw F44 category at the World Para Athletics Championships 2025. His silver, that came with a best attempt of 62.67m, helped India accomplish a double podium finish in the event. Compatriot Sandip Sanjay Sargar with 62.82m throw.

Their 1-2 finish was the second time India’s achieved such a feat at the ongoing championships. For Sandeep though, it was redemption after the heartbreak in Paris.

World champion in the event in 2019 and Asian champion the year before, Sandeep returned empty handed from Paris Paralympics after a heartbreaking fourth-place finish.

It was compatriot Sumit Antil who grabbed gold in the F44/F64 category at Paris, with Paralympic record throw of 70.59m. Sandeep too achieved his season best, but it wasn’t enough for a medal.

However, at the 2025 World Championships, he competed in the F44 category with Sumit in a separate category (F64) improving the former’s chances of claiming a medal. And Sandeep did so in style, completing his set at the world stage (Gold 2019, silver 2025, bronze 2024).

Talking to the media post his event, Sandeep spoke about his future, rediscovering the mojo to win again, his coaches and more.

Here are some excerpts from the interaction:

Q) You won bronze in 2024 and have now improved it to silver. So how are you feeling?

Sandeep Chaudhary: Performance-wise, I’m feeling good, and I’m thrilled that we won gold and silver in front of our home crowd. The people from my village came to watch, and they were happy with our performance.

The general public was also supporting us, so it was a lot of fun participating, and because of the home ground, I was excited; there was a little pressure as well. This time, I was confident that I would do well.

I wasn’t thinking of a medal, but I did think that I would perform well, and I could have done even better than I did today, but I have won the medal, so that’s fine.

Also Read: Changing Perceptions, Challenging Limits: Sumit Antil eyes bigger goals after defending worlds title

Q) Having been at this level for a long time now, how do you motivate yourself to keep moving forward?

Sandeep Chaudhary: My coach and senior Seema Punia is 42 and just recently won bronze at the 2023 Asian Games. If she can do it at her age, then I also have to try. I still have 10 years to reach her level (Sandeep is 29). I have plenty of time, and God will give me more at the right time.

This time, I’ve achieved success, and in every competition going forward, I will try my best to win something good for our country.

Q) What has changed after the disappointment in Paris Paralympics?

Sandeep Chaudhary: After Paris, I reconnected with the feeling I had been missing out for a long time. That’s why I still feel like I can do even better than I did today. You’ll see in the next competition, I’ll try my best, and I will.

My foreign coach is javelin legend Uwe Hohn, who had thrown the world record throw of 104.80m before the javelin structure was changed. [John, who is the first and only javelin thrower to register 100m+ a throw, also worked with Neeraj Chopra previously]

Also Read: Silver feels like Platinum: Yogesh Kathuniya finds peace in progress through process

Q) How has Uwe Hohn’s coaching helped you?

Sandeep Chaudhary: Yes, I stay connected with him online, and thanks to TOPS and our government, I have private sponsors who help me go out [to Germany] for training. So, I meet him when I go abroad for training.

I was missing the impulse that we take for a long time, but after working on it this time, I can easily throw 60m+ throws. That’s why I am saying that I can do better.

Q) What’s next for you after the World Championships medal?

Sandeep Chaudhary: Right now, after talking to the coach, I will take some rest and give some time to the family; it has been a long time away from the family, and after this, I will start preparing for the Asian Para Games that will happen next year.

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A post shared by Sandeep Chaudhary (@sandeepjavelin)

Q) You also mentor of Navdeep Singh. What was the feeling when he won gold at Paris Paralympics?

Sandeep Chaudhary: Navdeep is like my younger brother. Since he started his career, I have been his mentor. He is a very hardworking boy, and he has done well. I am always happy for him.

When I came fourth at the Paralympics, I felt sad. But when Navdeep won gold, I thought, “It’s okay, I will win in the future as well.” But I am very happy for him that he has achieved success in the biggest stage.

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