India’s javelin icon Neeraj Chopra revealed he has pinpointed a key issue in his technique—excessive leaning to the left during throws—and is working to fix it ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from September 13-21, 2025. Speaking at the launch of an Under Armour store in Ambience Mall, the double Olympic medalist outlined his preparations, including a 57-day training stint in Prague and Nymburk, Czech Republic, with legendary coach Jan Zelezny, at a cost of ₹19 lakh.

Chopra, a top medal hope for India, identified inconsistencies in his run-up and technique, particularly in competitions like the Bengaluru event where headwinds affected performance, unlike stronger showings in Paris and Doha Diamond Leagues. “In training, I don’t lean left, but in competitions, extra effort causes it, wasting power,” he said, emphasizing work on his run-up and consistency to hit the 90m mark more frequently.

Under Zelezny’s guidance, whom Chopra idolizes as a “legendary athlete and helpful person,” he aims to refine his technique for the world championships, his next major goal. Reflecting on the inaugural Neeraj Chopra Classic in Bengaluru, which drew over 15,000 spectators, he expressed pride in hosting a world-class javelin event in India. “My coach thanked me for bringing javelin to India,” he said, noting the emotional moment of competing before his family, including his tearful mother and 75-year-old grandfather, who flew for the first time.

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Looking ahead, Chopra dismissed early planning for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, focusing instead on step-by-step progress. He urged the next generation of Indian javelin throwers to surpass his achievements and praised government support through TOPS, calling for more qualified Indian coaches to bolster the sport’s growth.

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