Neeraj Chopra on Wednesday bid an emotional farewell to his German coach Klaus Bartonietz who ended his five-year partnership with the star Indian javelin thrower, citing household commitments. The 75-year-old coach, who guided Chopra to a historic gold on the Tokyo Olympics, a silver on the Paris Video games this 12 months, and a number of other different medals, had earlier expressed his lack of ability to proceed, as reported by PTI in October. “I write this with out figuring out the place to start. Coach, you’re greater than only a mentor to me. All the things you taught has helped me develop each as an athlete and particular person. You have got gone out of your manner to verify I used to be mentally and bodily ready for each competitors,” Chopra wrote in X in an emotional tribute.
“You stood by me by way of damage. You had been there by way of the highs, and also you had been there much more by way of the lows.” Chopra additionally highlighted the coach’s quiet but impactful presence, noting that whereas the laughter and pranks will probably be missed.
“You had been one of many quietest within the stands, however your phrases to me rang the loudest in my ears after I threw.
“I’ll miss the pranks and the laughs we shared, however greater than something, I’ll miss US as a group.
“Thanks for being part of my journey. Thanks for permitting me to be part of yours,” he added.
I write this with out figuring out the place to start.
Coach, you’re greater than only a mentor to me. All the things you taught has helped me develop each as an athlete and particular person. You have got gone out of your manner to verify I used to be mentally and bodily ready for each competitors. You stood… pic.twitter.com/kJxaPqmHmm
— Neeraj Chopra (@Neeraj_chopra1) November 6, 2024
Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair stated the German’s contract expired after the Paris Olympics and a brand new coach is probably going be appointed earlier than the tip of the 12 months.
“Sure, Dr Klaus will now not be Neeraj’s coach. The AFI and Neeraj will collectively search for a coach for him,” Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair instructed PTI.
“Most likely, we could have a coach for him earlier than the tip of this 12 months. He (Dr Klaus) desires to be along with his household. His contract with Neeraj has ended after the Paris Olympics.” The German first got here on board as a biomechanics knowledgeable however he later turned Chopra’s coach after Uwe Hohn fell out with the Athletics Federation of India and the Sports activities Authority of India.
Underneath Bartonietz, Chopra received Tokyo Olympics gold, Paris Video games silver, turned world champion and Diamond League champion, in addition to turning into Asian Video games gold medallist.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV workers and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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