Neeraj Chopra Reportedly Parts Ways With JSW Sports; Star Indian Athlete Ends Ten Year Association With Sponsor

In a significant shift within the Indian sporting landscape, double Olympic medalist Neeraj Chopra has ended his professional association with JSW Sports. The announcement, made as the 2026 athletic season begins, marks the conclusion of a decade-long partnership that has been instrumental in shaping the career of India’s most successful track and field athlete. Arshad Nadeem Meets Novak Djokovic; Paris Olympics Gold Medallist Has Friendly Interaction With Serbian Tennis Star at World Sports Summit in Dubai (See Pic).

The 28-year-old javelin star, who first signed with the firm as a promising junior athlete in 2015, will now move toward an independent management structure. While the split is described as amicable, it signals a new chapter for "the Golden Boy" as he focuses on his rehabilitation from recent injuries and the upcoming 2026 Asian Games.

A Decade of Historic Milestones

The partnership between Chopra and JSW Sports was established long before he became a household name. When JSW first inducted him into their Sports Excellence Program (SEP), Chopra was an emerging talent from Haryana. Under their management, he transitioned from a U20 World Champion in 2016 to an Olympic gold medalist at Tokyo 2020.

Beyond on-field success, JSW was pivotal in building Chopra’s brand, facilitating landmark endorsements with global names like Audi, Visa, and Omega. Most notably, in 2025, the two entities co-organized the "Neeraj Chopra Classic" in Bengaluru, India’s first-ever World Athletics Gold Level javelin competition.

Reason for the Transition

While neither party has cited a specific disagreement, industry insiders suggest that Chopra’s decision to move on stems from a desire for more direct control over his commercial portfolio and training logistics. Having reached a level of stardom unprecedented in Indian non-cricket sports, Chopra is reportedly looking to establish his own dedicated support team.

The transition comes at a time when Chopra is navigating a challenging physical phase. Following an eighth-place finish at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where he competed through back and groin injuries, the pacer is currently prioritizing rehabilitation under his coach, Jan Zelezny.

Management’s Response

JSW Sports issued a statement reflecting on the journey, expressing pride in the role they played in Indian athletics history. "Our journey with Neeraj has been one of mutual growth and immense pride," the statement read. "From a young boy with a dream to a global icon, Neeraj has been the face of Indian sports excellence. We wish him nothing but the best in his future endeavors."

Chopra also expressed his gratitude, noting that the support he received during his injury-hit 2019 season and his various international training stints was "instrumental" in his development.

What’s Next for Neeraj Chopra?

Currently, Chopra’s immediate focus remains on recovery. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) recently confirmed that the javelin star has been exempted from domestic qualifying events for the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya, allowing him to peak for the continental showpiece later this year.

As he ventures into this new management phase, the sporting world will be watching to see how the change impacts his commercial standing and his pursuit of the elusive 90-meter mark on the international stage.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jan 04, 2026 11:46 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).