India, May 22 -- Klaus Bartonietz, the venerated German biomechanics expert, was on a flight to Delhi when Neeraj Chopra sent his spear soaring into the Doha night sky last Friday, finally breaching the 90m barrier. Happy and relieved, he texted congratulations to his former ward and quietly moved on to his next assignment. The 76-year-old is currently on a weeklong visit to the Hisar centre of the Inspire Institute of Sports (IIS) where he is training a group of 21 throwers "to become the next Neeraj Chopras".

"I sent him my wishes for crossing 90 metres and also for being promoted to the rank of (honorary) Lieutenant Colonel. Both are big honours," he said.

Having trained the Indian javelin ace for five years, from his career-threaten...