How champion’s story unfolded

TOKYO: The body is a bow, the javelin an arrow. That’s what Klaus Bartonietz, an expert in biomechanics from Germany who is also one of the pre-eminent authorities on the javelin throw, wanted his ward Neeraj Chopra to understand.

The javelin thrower must develop tremendous suppleness and power in the elastic components of the body — muscles, ligaments and fascia. It’s the ability to build tension here and then release it that gives flight to the spear. Since he began working with Chopra in 2018, taking sole charge of the thrower since last year, Bartonietz’s aim has been to harness Chopra’s innate flexibility to its maximum advantage.

At the Olympic Stadium in Tokyo, on the penultimate day of the games, it all came together.

“Maybe he was the fastest today, he was very fast,” Bartonietz said. “He would create the energy (through the run) and then you have to block, strong block. The German (Johannes Vetter, the only one in the final who has thrown above 90m this season) was fitter, a great blocker. [But] you need body elasticity to transfer into the javelin, not just body power. Dhanush!”

Bartonietz has been with Chopra through the most difficult patch the young athlete has faced in his career, an injury to his throwing arm that ruled him out of action for almost a year. Bartonietz and a team of specialists had to work to build Chopra from the ground up.

“He is an overall athlete,” the coach said. “On the track in sprints, jumps, lifting, gymnastic work for flexibility, all of it.”

What did you tell Chopra before he went in for the final?

“Maza karo, enjoy,” Bartonietz said, breaking into a laugh.