Neeraj expects fierce competition in CWG; explains coaching switch after Zelezny stint

India’s javelin star Neeraj Chopra believes the absence of an Olympics or World Championships in 2026 does not make the season any easier, with the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games set to provide world-class competition.

Speaking during the Wanda Diamond League media interaction in Doha on Thursday, Chopra said Indian athletes still face a demanding calendar and cannot afford to ease off despite the lack of the sport’s biggest events.

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“No Olympics or World Championship this year, but as an Indian athlete, we have the Commonwealth Games and the Asian Games. So this is also a very busy season for us. And yes, maybe it’s a little more mentally relaxed for us if it’s not, like, a big game or championship. But physically, we always push ourselves to give our best every year. So that’s the only difference, like mentally we are a little bit, I think, relaxed.”

Commonwealth Games will be no less than Olympics

Asked about the strength of the field expected at the Commonwealth Games, Chopra pointed out that several athletes capable of crossing the 90-metre mark will be in contention.
“Yes, even (Anderson) Peters from Grenada.”

He further added: “Even (Keshorn) Walcott, and because all throwers are over 90 metres. So, the Commonwealth will be no less than the Olympics or the World Championships. It will be a really tough competition.”

Chopra also spoke about the unique challenge of competing in Doha, where wind conditions often play a major role in determining distances.

“Okay, I mean, sometimes I also throw against the wind. That was not good. It’s really hard to even sprint. I mean, sometimes even high jumpers struggle from this side. But we really need to understand how we can use the wind. I mean, I don’t think we can use that much in Javelin. But for runway speed, it really helps.

“And also, if we throw a little bit, our point is a little bit high, and the wind pushes a little bit from behind, then it helps. But if you throw really flat, then I don’t think it will help. So, you need a mind to throw if you want to use wind,” he stated.

Return to familiar coaching setup

Chopra also opened up on his decision to part ways with legendary coach Jan Zelezny and return to working with an Indian coach who has known him since the beginning of his career.

The Olympic champion said the decision was based more on practicality than performance, even though he achieved his first 90-metre throw under Zelezny’s guidance.

“I worked with Jan Zelezny. He was a great athlete and a really good coach. But we worked on a few things. I’m happy that I broke the 90m barrier with Zelezny. Last year, after Tokyo, because we work on very specific things, I had to stay in one place all season. That was a little bit impossible for me. Then we decided, after Tokyo, okay, maybe I need to work with my ideas,” Chopra said.

“Now I work with the Indian coach. He’s my senior. When I started javelin, I started with him. He knows my story from the last 15-16 years. Now we work on my technique. We are not working on anything specific, very deep, anything. I’m working on my natural technique. I was talking to him, like, okay, let’s start training together. And he knows my training plans and everything. Now we work together, and my physio is always with me. He’s been with me for the last 8-9 years. I have a good team. I feel very good,” he added.

The move marks a return to a familiar support system as Chopra begins another busy season, with the focus now on refining his natural technique while preparing for a packed year that includes both the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games.