'I Will Miss US As A Team': Neeraj Chopra Shares Emotional Message After Coach's Retirement

In an emotional tribute, Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra has expressed his gratitude and affection for his long-time coach, Klaus Bartonietz, who has retired after years of guiding the Indian javelin star to unprecedented success.

Neeraj Chopra, who has been working with the biomechanics expert since 2019, took to social media to share a heartfelt message to his coach, reflecting on their journey together and the impact Bartonietz has had on both his career and personal growth.

Neeraj Chopra bids farewell to his longtime coach

“I write this without knowing where to begin. 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. 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.”

“Thank you for being a part of my journey. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of yours. Happy retirement, coach,” Chopra concluded.

Since joining forces in 2019, Klaus Bartonietz has played a key role in shaping Neeraj Chopra into one of the world’s best athletes. Bartonietz took over from the legendary German javelin thrower Uwe Hohn, who had coached Chopra briefly before his retirement.

Under Klaus Bartonietz’s guidance, Neeraj Chopra achieved breakthrough moments in his career, most notably his historic gold medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics , India’s first-ever Olympic gold in athletics. 

However, the 75-year-old German coach, who had been contracted full-time until the 2024 Paris Olympics, has now made the decision to retire, citing both his age and increasing family commitments as the primary reasons for stepping back.