Sergey Makarov Aleksandrovich.
| Photograph Credit score: World Athletics
India’s prime javelin throwers, together with Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and nationwide file holder Annu Rani, will prepare with Russian legend Sergey Makarov Aleksandrovich, who in his new function as India’s javelin coach will oversee the preparations for this yr’s World Athletics Championships.
The 51-year-old Makarov, a embellished former athlete with bronze medals on the 2000 Sydney and 2004 Athens Olympics, was appointed lately with a watch on the subsequent Olympic cycle, chief nationwide coach Radhakrishnan Nair confirmed.
“The Russian javelin throw knowledgeable arrived earlier this week and shall be primarily based at Patiala’s Nationwide Institute of Sports activities in Punjab,” Nair was quoted as saying in a press launch.
“Aleksandrovich’s huge expertise as an athlete and coach will certainly give fillip to growth of javelin throw within the nation.”
The Athletics Federation of India had beneficial Aleksandrovich’s title to the Sports activities Ministry and his appointment comes at an important juncture for Indian athletics.
Following Neeraj’s silver medal on the 2024 Paris Olympics, which added to his historic gold from Tokyo Olympics, Indian javelin throwers have gained prominence on the worldwide stage.
On the 2023 World Athletics Championships, India had three athletes within the top-six, with Neeraj clinching the gold medal after securing silver at Eugene 2022.
With the 2025 World Athletics Championships slated from September 13, Nair emphasised that preparations are in full swing.
“Asian Championships in Could is one other vital occasion this yr,” Nair mentioned.
Aleksandrovich boasts a powerful profession, with a private finest throw of 92.61m, a Russian nationwide file set in Sheffield in 2002.
He is likely one of the few athletes to have crossed the 90m mark on a number of events — 4 — and in addition claimed bronze medals on the 2003 Paris and 2005 Helsinki World Championships.
His teaching credentials are equally spectacular, having served as the pinnacle coach of the Russian nationwide javelin crew from 2012-2018.
Neeraj has been mentored by a number of coaches all through his profession together with the legendary Uwe Hohn and biomechanics knowledgeable Dr Klaus Bartonietz who guided him to the historic Olympic gold in 2021 amongst different main triumphs.
The 75-year-old Bartonietz left after the Paris Olympics due to his previous age as Czech world file holder Jan Zelezny joined the Indian star forward of the 2025 season.
Printed – January 28, 2025 02:58 am IST
