One of the most iconic partnerships in Indian athletics history, Neeraj Chopra and his long-time coach Klaus Bartonietz is moving towards an end as the latter wants to focus on his family commitments.
After working together successfully for five years, the duo is set to part ways. The 75-year-old has cited his age and his wish to spend time with family with less travel.
“He is 75 now and wants to be with his family. Neeraj still wants to train with him but Bartonietz has expressed his inability to continue as his coach,” one of the Athletics Federation of India official told PTI.
Since 2019, Neeraj has been working with Bartonietz, a biomechanics expert who doubled up as his coach.
The German first came on board as a biomechanical expert and took over as Chopra’s coach after Uwe Hohn fell out with the AFI and the Sports Authority of India.
Under Bartonietz, Chopra won the Tokyo Olympics gold, and Paris Games silver, becoming the world champion and Diamond League champion, besides becoming the Asian Games gold medallist.
At the moment, the Athletics Federation of India is looking at some names that could replace the German.
“He also would need some changes in his thinking, psychology, and even training. I think in a way it might be a good thing for him. Together we are looking for a good coach. We are looking for someone with whom Neeraj would be comfortable and are talking to a lot of people. We will get him another good coach soon,” AFI president Adille Sumariwalla told The New Indian Express on the same matter.
Neeraj finished his injury-plagued 2024 season with a second-place finish at the Diamond League Final 2024 behind Anderson Peters and is expected to take care of the adductor muscle niggle that impacted his