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India's Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra is set to embark on an off-season training stint in South Africa later this month. The 26-year-old javelin star will spend 31 days in Potchefstroom, a city known for its high-altitude training facilities.Chopra's training will be funded by the Sports Ministry, which has approved the expenditure for his lodging, boarding, and training costs. The ministry stated that Chopra will begin his training early in preparation for next year's competitions.Chopra has a history of training in Potchefstroom, having spent time there ahead of the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. He also competed in a competition there in January 2020, where he finished first with a throw of 87.86m.Despite battling an adductor muscle niggle throughout the year, Chopra managed to secure a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and compete in the Diamond League Final. He has since parted ways with his German coach, Klaus Bartonietz, and is expected to appoint a new coach before the end of the year.Chopra's primary goal for next year is to defend his World Championships gold in Tokyo and improve his technique to reach the 90m mark. He currently holds a personal best of 89.94m, just 6cm short of the coveted milestone.

Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower, bid an emotional farewell to his German coach Klaus Bartonietz, who ended their five-year partnership due to family commitments. Bartonietz, 75, guided Chopra to a historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, a silver at the Paris Games, and several other medals.Chopra expressed his gratitude in a heartfelt tribute, acknowledging Bartonietz's profound impact on his growth as an athlete and a person. "You are more than just a mentor to me," Chopra wrote. "Everything you taught has helped me grow both as an athlete and person."Bartonietz's quiet yet impactful presence was highlighted by Chopra. "You were one of the quietest in the stands, but your words to me rang the loudest in my ears when I threw," he said. "I will miss the pranks and the laughs we shared, but more than anything, I will miss US as a team."Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair confirmed that Bartonietz's contract expired after the Paris Olympics and a new coach will be appointed before the end of the year. "The AFI and Neeraj will together look for a coach for him," Nair said.Bartonietz initially joined as a biomechanics expert but later became Chopra's coach after Uwe Hohn's departure. Under Bartonietz's guidance, Chopra achieved remarkable success, including the Tokyo Olympics gold, Paris Games silver, world championship title, Diamond League championship, and Asian Games gold medal.Chopra's emotional farewell underscores the deep bond he shared with Bartonietz, who played a pivotal role in shaping his career. The search for a new coach will be crucial as Chopra aims to continue his dominance in javelin throwing.

Indian javelin star Neeraj Chopra recently pulled off a hilarious prank on his long-time coach Klaus Bartonietz, who is set to depart from his role after the ongoing season. In a viral video posted on Instagram, Chopra, Bartonietz, and physiotherapist Ishaan Marwaha created their own version of the popular "give me my money" trend.The video begins with Chopra saying "give me my money," while Marwaha and Bartonietz clap. Marwaha repeats the phrase, and everyone claps again. However, when it's Bartonietz's turn, no one claps, leaving him puzzled. Chopra and Marwaha then burst into laughter, revealing their prank.The video has garnered widespread attention, with fans and fellow athletes alike praising Chopra's sense of humor. It also highlights the close bond between Chopra and Bartonietz, who have worked together for five years.Under Bartonietz's guidance, Chopra has achieved remarkable success, including winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the silver medal at the Paris Games, and the world championship title. He has also become the Diamond League champion and the Asian Games gold medalist.Bartonietz's decision to step down as Chopra's coach is due to his age and family commitments. The 75-year-old German has expressed his desire to spend more time with his family and reduce his travel schedule.Chopra has expressed his gratitude for Bartonietz's contributions to his career and has wished him well in his future endeavors. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has also acknowledged Bartonietz's significant role in Chopra's success and has thanked him for his dedication.As Bartonietz prepares to depart, Chopra will be looking for a new coach to guide him in the next phase of his career. The Indian javelin star is determined to continue his winning ways and cement his legacy as one of the greatest athletes in the world.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent letter to Neeraj Chopra's mother, Saroj Devi, has garnered widespread attention and admiration. In the letter, PM Modi expressed his heartfelt gratitude for the delicious "choorma" (a traditional delicacy from Haryana and Rajasthan) that she had prepared for him.The story began earlier this year when PM Modi requested Neeraj to bring homemade "choorma" for him. Saroj Devi, a dedicated mother, promised to fulfill the Prime Minister's wish. On Tuesday, during a meeting with Neeraj amidst the Jamaican Prime Minister's visit to India, PM Modi had the opportunity to savor the delectable "choorma."In his letter to Saroj Devi, PM Modi revealed that he was deeply moved after tasting the "choorma." He admitted that he couldn't resist writing a letter to her to express his appreciation. "Respected Saroj Devi ji, Regards! Hope you are healthy, safe, and happy. Yesterday at a banquet organized on the occasion of the visit of the Prime Minister of Jamaica to India, I got the opportunity to meet Neeraj. My happiness went up multiple times when he gave me delicious choorma made by you. After eating this choorma today, I could not stop myself from writing a letter to you," PM Modi wrote.PM Modi went on to praise Saroj Devi's culinary skills and the love and dedication she embodies as a mother. He noted that Neeraj had often spoken about her "choorma" with him, but tasting it firsthand had filled him with emotion. "Mother is the embodiment of strength, affection, and dedication. It's a coincidence that I got this prasad a day before Navratri begins. I fast during these nine days of Navratri. In a way, this choorma of yours has become my main food before my fasting period," PM Modi wrote.The Prime Minister also drew a parallel between the energy that "choorma" provides Neeraj to win medals for the country and the strength it would give him to serve the nation during the upcoming Navratri festival. "Just like the food prepared by you gives Neeraj the energy to win medals for the country, similarly, this choorma will give me the strength to serve the nation for the next 9 days. On this occasion of festival Navratri, I assure you and the women of this country that I will continue to work with more dedication to make the resolution of a developed India a reality. Thank you from the bottom of my heart!" PM Modi added.PM Modi's letter has not only touched Saroj Devi but has also resonated with countless Indians who appreciate the bond between a mother and her child. It serves as a reminder of the importance of family, tradition, and the power of simple gestures.

Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower, is set to bid farewell to his long-time coach, Klaus Bartonietz, after a successful five-year partnership. The 75-year-old German coach has decided to step down due to his age and family commitments."He (Bartonietz) is 75 and he now wants to be with his family and does not want too much travel also," an official from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) told PTI. "It is not that Neeraj wants to end the association, it is Bartonietz who has expressed his inability to continue as his (Neeraj's) coach."Chopra, 26, has been working with Bartonietz, a biomechanics expert, since 2019. The German initially joined as a biomechanical expert but later took over as Chopra's coach after Uwe Hohn's fallout with the AFI and the Sports Authority of India.Under Bartonietz's guidance, Chopra has achieved remarkable success. He won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, the silver medal at the Paris Games, and became the world champion and Diamond League champion. He also won the gold medal at the Asian Games.Chopra's partnership with Bartonietz has been a key factor in his rise to the top of the javelin throwing world. Bartonietz's expertise in biomechanics has helped Chopra improve his technique and maximize his potential.The AFI is now looking for a new coach for Chopra. The federation is expected to announce the new coach in the coming weeks.

India's star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has opened up about the intense pressure he faced during the javelin throw final at the Paris Paralympics 2024. Despite his best efforts, Chopra was unable to secure his second consecutive Olympic gold medal, as Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem claimed the top spot with a record-breaking throw.Nadeem's astonishing 92.97m effort in his second attempt set an insurmountable target for the rest of the field, including Chopra. The Indian athlete, who seemed visibly under pressure, managed only one legitimate throw – the silver-winning 89.45m in the second round.In a recent interview, Chopra admitted that Nadeem's giant throw had a significant impact on his mindset. "The first throw has a huge impact on an athlete's mentality. My first throw was good, but I fouled it. I was having some issues with the new track and tried to adjust to avoid another foul, but I failed. The competition was tough," Chopra said."After that, Nadeem had a great throw, and my second throw was also good. But then, as we often say, it's important to balance passion with composure. That day, I think I lost my composure. I was too emotional and angry, and I wanted to do better. But somewhere along the way, I lost sight of the technical aspects," he added.While Chopra was unable to defend his Olympic gold in Paris, he became the first Indian track-and-field athlete to win two successive Olympic medals. He had previously won a gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.Nadeem's record-breaking throw of 92.97m set a new benchmark in the sport of javelin throw. Chopra, who has consistently been one of the top performers in the world, will undoubtedly be determined to regain his Olympic title at the next Games.

Neeraj Chopra, India's star javelin thrower and Olympic medalist, has attributed his consistent performance and success to a positive mindset and unwavering self-belief. Speaking at an event in Haryana, Chopra emphasized the importance of believing in one's abilities and maintaining a positive outlook."In our minds, we should believe that we can do it. We should be positive, and it will work out. So, before stepping onto the field, we should believe that we will do well," Chopra said.This positive mindset is a crucial component of Chopra's preparation and performance. He undergoes rigorous mental and physical training to maintain his consistency and surpass the 85-meter mark."You have to continue training. Sometimes, the body will not permit it, but I think the mind is the most powerful thing. I push myself and remind myself that I have to complete my training as planned," Chopra explained.Chopra's approach highlights the importance of mental strength and determination in achieving athletic excellence. His ability to push through physical limitations and maintain a positive mindset has been key to his consistent performance and remarkable achievements on the global stage.In the recent Diamond League final, Chopra narrowly missed out on another title by just 1 centimeter, finishing second with a best throw of 87.86 meters. Despite the close defeat, Chopra's performance showcased his unwavering determination and mental fortitude.Chopra's journey to the top has been marked by consistent improvement and a relentless pursuit of excellence. He has set national records and achieved podium finishes in major international competitions, including the Olympics and the Diamond League.Chopra's success is a testament to the power of positive thinking, hard work, and unwavering self-belief. He serves as an inspiration to aspiring athletes and a role model for all who strive for greatness.

India's Olympic javelin star Neeraj Chopra has set his sights on a podium finish at the 2025 Tokyo World Championships, aiming to add to his impressive medal collection. After a successful season that saw him secure a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and a second-place finish at the Diamond League finale in Brussels, Chopra is determined to continue his winning streak.Despite battling an adductor muscle niggle throughout the year, Chopra remains optimistic about his fitness. He plans to consult with doctors to determine the best course of action for his injury, but assures that he will be fully fit for the upcoming season.Chopra's focus is not only on his physical health but also on refining his technique. He acknowledges the need for improvement and will work closely with his renowned German biomechanics expert, Klaus Bartonietz, to enhance his performance.Reflecting on India's Olympic performance, Chopra expressed satisfaction with the overall medal count but noted the potential for further improvement. He highlighted the numerous fourth-place finishes and believes that with continued effort, India can achieve even greater success in future Olympic Games.Chopra's ultimate goal is to break the 90m mark, a feat he has come close to achieving in the past. He remains determined to surpass his personal best and establish himself as one of the world's top javelin throwers.