When he is not watching his ward from behind his black glasses, Dr Klaus Bartonietz comes across as a cool and colourful character. The German biomechanics expert took over as Neeraj’s coach from compatriot and former world record holder Uwe Hohn during the youngster’s rehabilitation after an elbow surgery in 2018. Bartonietz’s contract has been extended till the 2024 Paris Olympics.
In an exclusive interview with THE WEEK from his home in Germany, Klaus talks of Chopra, his strengths, weaknesses, and the plan going forward. Excerpts:
Q\ How would you describe 2022 for you and Neeraj?
A\ It was a late start to the training year (December 2021), but we still got good results after only six months of training. In his first competition this season, Neeraj threw a personal best of 89.30m (he later threw 89.94m). He had stable competition results; he averaged 88.57m in the seven competitions, became world number four, won a medal (silver) at the World Championships and won the Diamond league final. However, not having the big powerful muscles to throw the javelin far caused problems. It became limiting and required a lot of attention.
Q\ How does working with Neeraj compare with your stints with other athletes?
This story is from the December 11, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 11, 2022 edition of THE WEEK India.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
What Will It Take To Clean Up Delhi Air?
IT IS ASKED, year after year, why Delhi’s air remains unbreathable despite several interventions to reduce pollution.
Trump and the crisis of liberalism
Although Donald Trump's election to a non-consecutive second term to the US presidency is not unprecedented—Grover Cleveland had done it in 1893—it is nevertheless a watershed moment.
Men eye the woman's purse
A couple of months ago, I chanced upon a young 20-something man at my gym walking out with a women’s sling bag.
When trees hold hands
A filmmaker explores the human-nature connect through the living root bridges
Ms Gee & Gen Z
The vibrant Anuja Chauhan and her daughter Nayantara on the generational gap in romance writing
Vikram Seth-a suitable man
Our golden boy of literature was the star attraction at the recent Shillong Literary Festival in mysterious Meghalaya.
Superman bites the dust
When my granddaughter Kim was about three, I often took her to play in a nearby park.
OLD MAN AND THE SEA
Meet G. Govinda Menon, the 102-year-old engineer who had a key role in surveying the Vizhinjam coast in the 1940s, assessing its potential for an international port
Managing volatility: smarter equity choices in uncertain markets
THE INDIAN STOCK MARKET has delivered a strong 11 per cent CAGR over the past decade, with positive returns for eight straight years.
Investing in actively managed low-volatility portfolios keeps risks at bay
AFTER A ROARING bull market over the past year, equity markets in the recent months have gone into a correction mode as FIIs go on a selling spree. Volatility has risen and investment returns are hurt.
