India’s star javelin thrower ‘Golden Boy’ Neeraj Chopra bid an emotional goodbye to his long-time German coach, Klaus Bartonietz, as their highly successful five-year partnership came to an end.
Bartonietz, citing family commitments, decided to part ways with Chopra, bringing an end to a tenure that witnessed numerous triumphs, including India’s first-ever Olympic gold medal in athletics.
Veteran coach Bartonietz, who masterminded Neeraj Chopra’s historic successes, including India’s first Olympic gold in athletics at Tokyo 2020 and a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Games, has formally ended his five-year association with the star javelin thrower.
“I write this without knowing where to begin. Coach, you are more than just a mentor to me. Everything you taught has helped me grow both as an athlete and person. You have gone out of your way to make sure I was mentally and physically prepared for every competition,” Chopra wrote in X in an emotional tribute.
“You stood by me through injury. You were there through the highs, and you were there even more through the lows.”
Chopra also highlighted the coach’s quiet yet impactful presence, noting that while the laughter and pranks will be missed.
“You were one of the quietest in the stands, but your words to me rang the loudest in my ears when I threw.
“I will miss the pranks and the laughs we shared, but more than anything, I will miss US as a team. Thank you for being a part of my journey. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of yours,” he added.
Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair said the German’s contract expired after the Paris Olympics and a new coach is likely be appointed before the end of the year.
“Yes, Dr Klaus will no longer be Neeraj’s coach. The AFI and Neeraj will together look for a coach for him,” Indian athletics chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair told PTI.
“Probably, we may have a coach for him before the end of this year. He (Dr Klaus) wants to be with his family. His contract with Neeraj has ended after the Paris Olympics.”
The German first came on board as a biomechanics expert but he later became Chopra’s coach after Uwe Hohn fell out with the Athletics Federation of India and the Sports Authority of India.
