Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Jena in Asian Games (Photo: Rohan Chowdhury)
As we approach the pivotal year of 2024 with Paris Olympics around the corner, the 2023 Asian Games stands out as a watershed moment in India’s sporting history. This multi-sport tournament marked a historical milestone for India, with its athletes bringing home over 100 medals. Among these remarkable victories was the stellar performance of Javelin Thrower, Kishore Jena.
In the sphere of javelin, Neeraj Chopra’s dominance is unparalleled, both in India and on the global stage. It seems improbable for any other Indian javelin thrower to steal the spotlight in the age of Neeraj. However, Kishore emerged from the shadows during the Asian Games. Initially, an unknown figure to most Indians, he returned from China as a new star.
Hailing from the village of Kothasahi near Puri in Odisha, Kishore is the youngest of seven siblings, born to Keshab Jena, a paddy farmer. To support his family, Kishore chose a career in sports with the ambition of securing a position in the Indian Army through the sports quota. Interestingly, Javelin wasn’t his first choice; it was volleyball. Recognizing his prowess in volleyball, he found himself at the Odisha government’s Sports Hostel in Bhubaneswar, where he was introduced to javelin just a few years ago.
When the Javelin throw event began in China at the Asian Games, the unthinkable happened. Kishore, with his throw, had left Neeraj behind, ‘the golden boy’ of India. Kishore’s third throw covered a distance of 86.77 meters, as he seized the lead in the javelin final, surpassing Neeraj by 2.28 meters at that point. In his fourth attempt, he delivered an even more impressive throw, covering a distance of 87.54 meters. At this point, he had a better throw than Neeraj, and his colleague had a solid competition for the gold. Eventually, however, Neeraj roared back into pole position with a throw of 88.88m and won the Gold.
Kishore also secured a notable fifth-place finish at the World Championships, alongside winning a silver medal at Asian Games, which in turn has earned him the title of India’s second-best thrower in history. He has also achieved a significant new personal best and secured a spot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
And thus, a young boy from simple and humble beginnings has etched his name into the pages of Indian sporting history. Kishore’s story is one of unwavering dedication and passion. Kishore asserts that sports is his everything, and he is committed to giving it his absolute best. His journey exemplifies the triumph of perseverance and passion, proving that even from the humblest beginnings, stars can rise.