Neeraj Chopra bids coach Klaus Bartonietz a happy retirement, saying, “I will miss the US as a team.”
After more than five years of working with the two-time Olympic medallist, the 76-year-old German is scheduled to retire and return home.
Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra stated in a heartfelt farewell statement that he is leaving his long-time coach Klaus Bartonietz, who is about to retire and move back to Germany.
Due to the partnership’s great success, they won two medals at the Olympics, including gold in Tokyo 2020, two gold medals at the Asian Games, and a gold medal at the World Championship.
“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. You stood by me through injury,” Neeraj wrote in a post on X. “You were there through the highs, and you were there even more through the lows.
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.”
“I appreciate you sharing in my journey. I appreciate you letting me share in yours,” the silver medallist from Paris continued.
Following a rift between Neeraj’s previous coach, Uwe Hohn, and the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the 75-year-old was initially employed by the AFI in 2019 as a biomechanical specialist. He subsequently took over as Neeraj’s coach.
Last month, The Indian Express claimed that the cooperation was about to terminate. In the middle of October, he will be going back to his hometown.
His involvement in mentoring other javelin athletes and teaching javelin coaches continued until May 2022. He wishes to remain with his family because he is almost 76 years old.
He refused to continue after 2021, but he complied with our request. However, AFI chief coach Radhakrishnan Nair had stated that he was returning this time.
