Latest news with #Zelezny
Hans India
2 days ago
- Sport
- Hans India
Want Tendulkar's ‘superpower' to help me handle challenges
New Delhi: Neeraj Chopra says he is 'slowly understanding the concept of flow' after his celebrated coach Jan Zelezny advised him to run like an 18-year-old 'without any tension' before launching his javelin. The 27-year-old Chopra, a double Olympic medallist, also said he would want to have cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's 'superpower' to help him handle challenges with a calm mindset. He said the best advice he has received on and off the field was from Czech legend Zelezny, who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 98.48m. 'Whenever I throw, I stay very energetic, but he (Zelezny) tells me I need to run in a flow. It shouldn't feel tight - I should run like an 18-year-old kid without any tension. I'm slowly understanding the concept of flow,' Chopra told Star Sports and JioHotstar. 'I think that in any sport, flow is very important. For example, Roger Federer - he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort. I'm trying to bring that into my training.' Asked which cricketer's superpower he would like to have for throwing his javelin, Chopra said, 'Sachin Tendulkar. He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally.' 'I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset,' said Chopra who is hosting NC Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event. The world champion Indian, who joined the 90m club headed by Zelezny at the Doha Diamond League in May, said the legendary MS Dhoni's 'Helicopter Shot' resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and technique. Asked which cricketer he thinks would be able to throw the javelin, Chopra said, 'I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years. 'I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.' Asked whether he's superstitious, Chopra said, 'I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.' After throwing 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League for a second place finish on May 16, Chopra won the Paris DL title with an effort of 88.16m. He then won the Golden Spike Ostrava title with a throw of 85.29m on June 24.
NDTV
2 days ago
- Sport
- NDTV
Not Virat Kohli Or MS Dhoni, Neeraj Chopra Wants Special Superpower From This Iconic India Cricketer
Neeraj Chopra says he is "slowly understanding the concept of flow" after his celebrated coach Jan Zelezny advised him to run like an 18-year-old "without any tension" before launching his javelin. The 27-year-old Chopra, a double Olympic medallist, also said he would want to have cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's "superpower" to help him handle challenges with a calm mindset. He said the best advice he has received on and off the field was from Czech legend Zelezny, who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 98.48m. "Whenever I throw, I stay very energetic, but he (Zelezny) tells me I need to run in a flow. It shouldn't feel tight - I should run like an 18-year-old kid without any tension. I'm slowly understanding the concept of flow," Chopra told Star Sports and JioHotstar. "I think that in any sport, flow is very important. For example, Roger Federer - he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort. I'm trying to bring that into my training." Asked which cricketer's superpower he would like to have for throwing his javelin, Chopra said, "Sachin Tendulkar. He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally." "I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset,' said Chopra who is hosting NC Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event. The world champion Indian, who joined the 90m club headed by Zelezny at the Doha Diamond League in May, said the legendary MS Dhoni's 'Helicopter Shot' resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and technique. Asked which cricketer he thinks would be able to throw the javelin, Chopra said, "I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years. "I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.' Asked whether he's superstitious, Chopra said, "I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.' After throwing 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League for a second place finish on May 16, Chopra won the Paris DL title with an effort of 88.16m. He then won the Golden Spike Ostrava title with a throw of 85.29m on June 24.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Hindu
Neeraj learning ‘concept of flow', wants Tendulkar's ‘superpower' to handle challenges
Neeraj Chopra says he is "slowly understanding the concept of flow" after his celebrated coach Jan Zelezny advised him to run like an 18-year-old "without any tension" before launching his javelin. Also Read | Neeraj Chopra emerges winner at Golden Spike meet, joins coach Zelezny among title winners The 27-year-old Chopra, a double Olympic medallist, also said he would want to have cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's "superpower" to help him handle challenges with a calm mindset. He said the best advice he has received on and off the field was from Czech legend Zelezny, who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 98.48m. "Whenever I throw, I stay very energetic, but he (Zelezny) tells me I need to run in a flow. It shouldn't feel tight — I should run like an 18-year-old kid without any tension. I'm slowly understanding the concept of flow," Chopra told Star Sports and JioHotstar. "I think that in any sport, flow is very important. For example, Roger Federer — he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort. I'm trying to bring that into my training." Asked which cricketer's superpower he would like to have for throwing his javelin, Chopra said, "Sachin Tendulkar. He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally." "I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset,' said Chopra who is hosting NC Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event. The world champion Indian, who joined the 90m club headed by Zelezny at the Doha Diamond League in May, said the legendary MS Dhoni's 'Helicopter Shot' resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and technique. Asked which cricketer he thinks would be able to throw the javelin, Chopra said, "I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years. "I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.' Asked whether he's superstitious, Chopra said, "I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.' After throwing 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League for a second place finish on May 16, Chopra won the Paris DL title with an effort of 88.16m. He then won the Golden Spike Ostrava title with a throw of 85.29m on June 24.
Mint
3 days ago
- Sport
- Mint
Neeraj learning 'concept of flow', wants Tendulkars 'superpower' to handle challenges
New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Neeraj Chopra says he is "slowly understanding the concept of flow" after his celebrated coach Jan Zelezny advised him to run like an 18-year-old "without any tension" before launching his javelin. The 27-year-old Chopra, a double Olympic medallist, also said he would want to have cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar's "superpower" to help him handle challenges with a calm mindset. He said the best advice he has received on and off the field was from Czech legend Zelezny, who also holds the world record in javelin with a throw of 98.48m. "Whenever I throw, I stay very energetic, but he (Zelezny) tells me I need to run in a flow. It shouldn't feel tight - I should run like an 18-year-old kid without any tension. I'm slowly understanding the concept of flow," Chopra told Star Sports and JioHotstar. "I think that in any sport, flow is very important. For example, Roger Federer - he played with such grace and rhythm that it never seemed like he was putting in too much effort. I'm trying to bring that into my training." Asked which cricketer's superpower he would like to have for throwing his javelin, Chopra said, "Sachin Tendulkar. He represented our country so well for so many years and made so many records for us. The way he faced challenges from many great bowlers and still performed exceptionally." "I would want that superpower and try to do the same. It would help me handle challenges that come my way with a calm mindset,' said Chopra who is hosting NC Classic in Bengaluru on July 5, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event. The world champion Indian, who joined the 90m club headed by Zelezny at the Doha Diamond League in May, said the legendary MS Dhoni's 'Helicopter Shot' resembles a javelin throw in terms of power and technique. Asked which cricketer he thinks would be able to throw the javelin, Chopra said, "I have heard that Brett Lee was a javelin thrower. I think he could throw the javelin well, especially when he was in his peak years. "I would like to try javelin with Jasprit Bumrah too and hope he teaches me some bowling skills. While bowling and javelin are both throws, they are very different. I would like to learn from Bumrah.' Asked whether he's superstitious, Chopra said, "I try to stay calm on the day of my event. I don't think too much about it. I just focus on giving my 100%. I try to stay relaxed, eat good food, and rest well.' After throwing 90.23m at the Doha Diamond League for a second place finish on May 16, Chopra won the Paris DL title with an effort of 88.16m. He then won the Golden Spike Ostrava title with a throw of 85.29m on June 24.
Indian Express
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Neeraj Chopra wins in Ostrava despite challenge from unheralded South African
A cool sight at the Mestský Stadion during the 64th Ostrava Golden Spike on Tuesday – one of the popular European one-day athletics meetings – was seeing world javelin record-holder Jan Zelezny strike up a pose right next to the throwing area for the event, dressed in his business-casual attire. The Czechia legend is, of course, closely associated with the Ostrava Golden Spike as the meeting director and athletes in the past have spoken about how cool it is to compete in this event, where his impact is unmissable – in his current role, but also as the meet record holder with 94.64m that he threw in 1996. This time around, he had a ring-side view to watch his Indian ward compete too. In his fifth official event of 2025, Neeraj Chopra registered his third win. He has bagged back-to-back titles as he backed up his Paris Diamond League success on Friday late night, with a quick turnaround at the home event of his legendary coach. Neeraj won the event with a best mark of 85.29m that came in the third round. The second place went to South Africa's Douw Smit with a new Personal Best of 84.12m while two-time World Champion Anderson Peters took the third place with 83.63m. After his Paris DL win, Neeraj spoke of a quick recovery with just over three days left for the Ostrava event, which he has had to miss in recent seasons. But perhaps the presence of Zelezny as his coach now meant there was a special place in the calendar for Neeraj, who typically hasn't competed with such turnaround time in recent seasons. And with his own pet project – the NC Classic men's javelin invitational – coming up next weekend in Bengaluru, Neeraj would have had good reason to not go all out. He was asked some questions in Ostrava, first by an expected source in Peters and then by an unexpected one from South Africa's Smit. Peters started the event with the 83.63m, laying down the early marker. But Smit – a relative outsider at this level of men's javelin – came with a new PB of 84.12m that gave him the lead after two attempts. But as he often does, Neeraj did find an answer. With his third attempt, the Indian registered the only 85m+ throw of the night with 85.29m. But for the second successive event, he didn't seem all that pleased with his throws. After a couple of attempts, he had a quick debrief with Zelezny standing beside him, evidently discussing the release of the javelin. It is an area Neeraj said, after Paris, that he is working with the Czech great, trying to attain more control at the final step and using his chest more to release without falling over to the left. In fact, after his final throw, where he actually had a stumble and ended up intentionally fouling beyond the white line, he shook his head a fair few times. But eventually, as he headed to the seating area where his fellow athletes were waiting, the smiles were back. It is after all another meeting win and one that extends his long streak of finishing in the top-two of every event he has competed in since June 2021. Neeraj's focus will now turn to the NC Classic. Much like Zelezny's association with the Ostrava Golden Spike now, that event will mean a whole lot more than just one where he is competing. The hype has been steadily building from Down Under around this incredibly talented teenage sprinter, and on his European professional debut, Gout Gout justified some of it. Trailing in the 200m race behind Reynier Mena of Cuba, he came up with a finishing kick that has already become the most noticeable trait of his sprinting style – a ridiculous ease with which he increases his speed after getting into his stride. The result was a stunning 20.02s from the clock for the teenager, a new Personal Best and an Area Record for Australia as well. And at 17, he is knocking on the door of a sub-20s timing. 'Feel pretty good, first European race. Indeed the sub-20 is very, very close,' he said after the race, barely unable to hide his joy. The hype appears to be very real indeed.
