'This Is Just The Beginning': Neeraj Chopra's Picture With Jan Zelezny Goes Viral
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Neeraj Chopra has thanked Indian supporters, coach Jan Zelezny and physio Ishaan Marwaha after his 90.23m throw at Doha Diamond League.
Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra on Sunday, May 19, posted a heartfelt message for the Indian supporters after his record-breaking throw at the Doha Diamond League last week, while thanking his coach Jan Zelezny and physio Ishaan Marwaha for their support.
Neeraj sent his spear to a whopping 90.23m in the competition in Doha on Friday, but finished second overall after Germany's Julian Weber took the top spot with a 91.06m effort in his final throw.
Zelezny, who holds the world record for the longest throw (98.48m), does not attend Diamond League tournaments, but he came with Neeraj on Friday because he felt 'today is the day to achieve 90m."
'Happy to finally achieve the 90m mark at the Doha DL. A big thank you to the Indian supporters in the stadium for their encouragement and to those watching and praying from home," Neeraj tweeted on Sunday night.
Happy to finally achieve the 90m mark at the Doha DL. A big thank you to the Indian supporters in the stadium for their encouragement, and to those watching and praying from home. Grateful to my coach, Jan Zelezny and physio Ishaan Marwaha for their constant support. This is just… pic.twitter.com/GSi3KgwbGI — Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) May 18, 2025
Neeraj will enter the September 13 to 21 world championship in Tokyo as the defending gold-medallist in his event. The throw in Doha would do a world of good to his confidence.
It was Neeraj's third attempt of the night and one that made him only the third Asian and 25th overall to cross the coveted mark, that was eluding him for the last five years.
The Zelezny effect on him would be hard to ignore. He was roped in as Neeraj's coach in November 2024, but they began working together only in February.
Asked about his next goal, Neeraj offered a cheeky response. 'My next goal remains 90m," he said.
Who Is Jan Zelezny?
He is a former Czech track and field athlete who competed in the javelin throw. He is a world and Olympic champion and holds the world record with a throw of 98.48m.
Zelezny has three Olympic gold medals and a silver medal to his name.
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