NEW DELHI: Two-time Olympic medallist and former world champion, Russia’s Sergey Makarov, has been appointed as India’s chief javelin throw coach, Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced on Monday.
Makarov, who possesses a personal best of 92.61m, will be training the country’s elite javelin throwers, including double Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra and Hangzhou Asian Games gold winner Annu Rani, amongst others.
The 51-year-old would be imparting coaching to Neeraj, alongside Czech javelin legend Jan Železný. According to sources, while Makarov would specifically be working with other javelin throwers, he would be guiding Neeraj during competitions and whenever the star Indian javelin thrower is in the country to train at Patiala’s National Institute of Sports (NIS).
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Železný, a three-time Olympic and world champion and the current world record holder (98.48m), has specifically focused on refining Neeraj’s throwing technique, his run-up sequence and orchestrating his season’s calendar in preparation for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this year, where the 27-year-old from Haryana’s Panipat will be looking to defend his title.
Železný, who succeeded German biomechanics expert Dr Klaus Bartonietz as Neeraj’s coach in Nov last year, has also been conditioning the Indian to surpass the formidable 90m-mark in forthcoming competitions.
AFI had sent Makarov’s name for consideration as javelin throw coach to the Sports Authority of India (SAI) and the final approval came last week. Makarov, winner of multiple international medals including bronze at the Sydney Olympics in Sep 2000 and Athens Games in Aug 2004, has been appointed keeping in mind the next Olympics cycle, chief national coach Radhakrishnan Nair said.
"He arrived earlier this week and will be based at Patiala’s NIS. Makarov’s extensive experience as an athlete and coach will undoubtedly bolster the development of javelin throw in the country," Nair added.
Apart from overseeing elite javelin throw programme, the Russian will also collaborate with Indian coaches periodically to enhance their expertise. Nair said the primary focus will be the upcoming athletics Worlds, starting Sep 13 in Tokyo. At the 2023 Worlds in Budapest, three Indian javelin throwers were in top-6. Neeraj went on to secure the gold medal. The two-time Asian Games champion had clinched silver at the 2022 Eugene Worlds meet.
“Apart from the Worlds, the Asian Championships in May is another crucial event this year,” Nair said. During his competitive career, Makarov has recorded throws exceeding 90m four times.
