Kishore Kumar Jena hopes India wins more than one javelin medal at the Paris Olympics

Emerging javelin thrower Kishore Jena will start his outdoor season from the Diamond League in Doha in May.

Neeraj Chopra and Kishore Kumar Jena are India’s best hopes in the javelin throw at the Paris Olympics.

Chandigarh: Rising javelin thrower Kishore Kumar Jena has been making headlines ever since he took on Neeraj Chopra at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year. For the first time in Asian Games history, Chopra and Jena made it a one-two punch in Hangzhou 2023. Now that she has qualified for Paris, Jena believes the medal prospects in the javelin throw are not just limited to Chopra.

The Summer Olympics are just over 130 days away and Jena is working hard to make it an unforgettable outing for the country together with Olympic and world champion Chopra. Jena, who is currently training at the Netaji Subhas National Institute of Sports (NSNIS) in Patiala, believed India can win more than one javelin medal in Paris.

“According to the rule, three players from one country can compete in the javelin throw. That increases the chance of winning more medals in Paris. We are all training hard for the Summer Games and if we can stay consistent and injury-free, India can do better than Tokyo,” Jena said on the sidelines of Youth and Sports Minister Anurag’s Khelo India Rising Talent Identification (KIRTI) launch program Thakur in Chandigarh on Tuesday.

“My season has started well compared to last year. I believe 2024 will be a great season for me. The training is going well and I am getting support from all quarters, be it the Sports Authority of India (SAI), TOPS (Target Olympic Podium Scheme) or the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

“I am sure my performance will be better as I will give my 100 percent. The rest is up to the Almighty and what happens on that particular day,” said Jena, who will make his first return to outdoor competition in 2024 at the Doha leg of the Diamond League season in May.

Jena, who hails from a farming family in Odisha’s Puri district, went on a discovery tour to Australia’s Gold Coast last month, where he was accompanied by long-time coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi. He did various types of strength training to improve his core and shoulder strength.

What will be his target in Doha? Will it throw the javelin to 90 meters? Will Chopra’s presence put pressure on him? “I haven’t thought about it until now (90 meters). My goal is to continue to improve my results and overcome my weaknesses. I continue to take suggestions from Neeraj Bhai.

“I don’t see him as my competition. Whenever I encounter a problem I follow his advice as he is one of the nicest people I have ever encountered. He does not hold back when it comes to giving the right tips,” says Jena.

During the Asian Games, there was a bit of a scare for Chopra as his first ‘good’ throw was not considered by the umpires. Later, Jena recorded his personal best of 87.54 meters, prompting Chopra to give it his all. The Olympic champion eventually came up with a monster throw of 88.88 meters to defend his gold medal. Jena settled for silver and, more importantly, achieved the qualifying mark for Paris 2024.

“At that time I was happy that I had qualified for Paris 2024. I went to him (Chopra) and even told him that I had qualified. He boosted my confidence by saying that I can make a bigger throw. Like everyone, my goal is to win a medal, but that is not completely under my control and I will go for my personal best at my first Olympic Games,” Jena signed off.