Athletics Federation Of India (AFI) shortlist Sergey Makarov, a Russian expert, has been roped in to oversee India’s elite javelin throw program after the departure of German biomechanics expert Dr Klaus Bartonietz.
The governing body of athletics in India started looking for a new coach after the departure of the German who guided Neeraj Chopra to two Olympic medals.
The 51-year-old Russian will be based at the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala. He will groom the Indian javelin throwers, including youngsters like Annu Rani for a three-year cycle.
“The Russian javelin throw expert arrived earlier this week and will be based at Patiala’s National Institute of Sports in Punjab. Aleksandrovich’s vast experience as an athlete and coach will surely give fillip to development of javelin throw in the country,” Chief National Coach Radhakrishnan Nair said in the AFI statement.
Makarov has the best throw of 92.61m and comes from a family of javelin throwers. His father Aleksandr Fyodorovich Makarov won a silver medal at the 1980 Moscow Summer Games.
Grooming the Indian athletes for the 2025 World Athletics Championships slated from September 13 will be among his priority.
“Asian Championships in May is another important event this year,” Nair said.
He crossed the 90m mark four times with the best throw of 92.61m coming at Sheffield in 2002.
A two-time World Championship bronze medalist, Makarov is a two-time bronze medalist in the 2000 and 2004 Olympic Games.
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