Coach Klaus has been a constant presence beside Chopra when he trains overseas and at competitions. (Express photo by Harmeet Sodhi)
The partnership between Neeraj Chopra and long-time coach Klaus Bartonietz, which brought India two Olympics medals, two World Championship medals and an Asian Games medal won’t extend further after the 75-year-old German has decided to return home to spend time with his family. Bartonietz first came on board as a biomechanical expert and took over as Neeraj’s coach after his previous coach Uwe Hohn fell out with the Athletics Federation of India and the Sports Authority of India.
“Coach Klaus Bartonietz won’t continue with the Indian athletics team and Neeraj Chopra after this season. He is returning to his hometown in mid-October. Till May 2022, he was also involved in coaching other javelin athletes also and also conducting courses for javelin coaches. The reason is that he is nearly 76 years old and he wants to stay with his family. He was not willing to continue after 2021 but we requested him and he agreed. But this time he is going back,” Athletics Federation of India chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair told The Indian Express.
Though the AFI was keen on Klaus being involved in the programme for junior athletes, Klaus is yet to take a call.
Klaus was hired by the AFI in February 2019.
Coach Klaus has been a constant presence beside Chopra when he trains overseas and at competitions.
Last year Klaus had spoken about what makes Neeraj special.
“He is a very hard worker. Also, you have to be mentally strong, otherwise you are not going to win at big events. He is not overconfident but realistic. He never talks nonsense and never makes a big noise. Like a Formula One race driver who understands the power, engine speed and everything about the car, Neeraj understands the event and his body,” Klaus had said.
