German great Uwe Hohn to coach javelin throwers

India’s top javelin throwers, including world junior champion Neeraj Chopra, preparing for the World Championship in London in August, are set to get coaching tips from former world record holder from Germany, Uwe Hohn.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) confirmed the development, saying a proposal has been sent to the government for clearance. “We hope the German expert will join the national squad as early as possible,” said AFI president Adille Sumariwalla. Hohn is expected to sign the contract till 2020 Tokyo Olympics on a monthly salary of $8,000.

The German was roped in after Australian javelin throw expert, Garry Calvert, quit his job earlier this month. The Aussie had signed a two-year contract and took over the reins in February 2016. Calvert, however, was unhappy with the functioning of the federation and quit. He has reportedly joined the Chinese athletics federation.

Sumariwalla said the federation had agreed to extend Calvert’s contract to four years after the end of 2017 season. “We were ready to make changes (to his contract) but Calvert wanted it from January. So, there was a bit of a communication gap.”

Hohn, 54, is currently based in Australia. He had set the world record of 104.80m in Berlin in 1984. His other great performance was a throw of 96.96 metres recorded during the 1985 IAAF World Cup in Canberra.