Who is Kishore Jena, The Indian Athlete Competing in Men's Javelin Throw at Paris Olympics 2024?

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Kishore Kumar Jena, born on September 6, 1995, is an Indian track and field athlete specializing in the javelin throw. He has gained recognition for his athletic prowess and has achieved significant milestones in his career, including a personal best throw of 87.54 meters in 2023.

At 28 years old and standing 5 feet 8 inches tall, he has made a name for himself in both national and international competitions. Here is all you need to know about the javelin thrower:

Early Life

Kishore Kumar Jena was born on September 6, 1995, in Kothasahi village near Puri, Odisha. He is the youngest of seven siblings, having six sisters, and is the son of Keshab Jena, a paddy farmer, and his wife Harapriya.

To support his family, Jena pursued a career in sports with the aim of securing a job through the sports quota in the Indian Army.

Initially, he excelled in volleyball, which led him to the Odisha government's Sports Hostel in Bhubaneswar. It was here that he was introduced to javelin throw by Laxman Baral, a former state champion, who gifted him a handmade bamboo javelin.

Despite facing challenges, including his father's accident in 2018 that left him partially paralyzed, Jena remained focused on his athletic career and family responsibilities.

Personal Life

Jena's early passion for sports was evident, particularly in volleyball. However, his path changed when he sought admission to a sports hostel in Bhubaneswar. Lacking the required volleyball certificates, he cleverly used his javelin throw certificate from a tournament in Cuttack to gain admission.

Athletics Career

Kishore Jena's professional journey in javelin throw took a significant turn when he shifted his training to the National Institute of Sports (NIS) in Patiala.

Under the mentorship of coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi, he made crucial adjustments to his technique, notably increasing his run-up distance from 13-14 meters to 21 meters and altering the angle of his javelin release.

These changes led to remarkable improvements in his performance, including a personal milestone of throwing over 80 meters, which he initially thought was unattainable.

In June 2023, he won a silver medal at the national championships held in Bhubaneshwar. He registered a throw of 84.38 meters in Sri Lanka on 30 July 2023, marking his second-best performance.

At the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, he finished fifth with a personal best throw of 84.77 meters, overcoming challenges related to visa approval.

His most notable achievement came on 4 October 2023, when he won the silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, achieving a personal record throw of 87.54 meters.

This performance not only earned him a medal but also secured him a berth for the upcoming Olympics, elevating his national recognition in the sport.