Neeraj Chopra set to fly for off-season training in South Africa

India's javelin ace Neeraj Chopra gears up for the 2025 season with an off-season training camp in South Africa's Potchefstroom, aiming to defend his World Championship title and break the elusive 90m barrier after an injury-hit year.

In Short

• Neeraj Chopra set to fly to Potchefstroom for a training stint
• He aims to defend his World Championship title in Tokyo
• Chopra’s training trip to get funded by India Sports Ministry

India’s javelin star and two-time Olympic medallist, Neeraj Chopra, has announced his plans to head to Potchefstroom, South Africa, later this month for off-season training, aiming to prepare for the intense schedule of upcoming competitions in 2025. The 26-year-old will once again return to his favored training base in South Africa, where he has previously trained ahead of major events like the Tokyo and Paris Olympics. Chopra’s trip will be fully funded by the Indian Sports Ministry, ensuring he has all the resources needed for a successful training stint.

Chopra has chosen Potchefstroom as a regular training ground for its high-quality facilities and conducive environment. This visit, however, comes at a time of transition for him, as he is currently in search of a new coach following the end of his five-year partnership with former German coach Klaus Bartonietz. The athlete and his team are actively exploring options to find a suitable mentor who can guide him to greater heights in the coming season.

The decision to return to Potchefstroom is part of Chopra’s plan to achieve his two main objectives for 2024: defending his World Championships title and breaking the elusive 90m mark. Chopra had a stellar year in 2023, securing gold at the World Championships in Budapest with a throw of 88.17m. Despite being one of the best javelin throwers globally, Chopra has yet to breach the 90m barrier, with his personal best standing at 89.94m—a mere 6cm shy.

Chopra's recent season has not been without challenges. He battled an adductor muscle niggle for much of the year, which affected his performance during crucial events like the Paris Olympics and the Diamond League Final, where he also competed with a fractured left hand. Despite these setbacks, he clinched a silver at the Paris Olympics with an impressive throw of 89.45m, though he was outdone by Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who shattered the Games record with a 92.97m throw.

Chopra’s off-season training in Potchefstroom represents his relentless pursuit of excellence and readiness to push his limits as he aims for more record-breaking performances in the global arena in 2024.