The 3am phone call that saved Kishore Jena's career and gave India its second javelin hero

 

Kishore Kumar Jena delivered an outstanding performance, showcasing the pinnacle of his career with an exceptional throw that secured the silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

Navigating the delicate boundary at the pinnacle of athletics involves a nuanced balance between surrendering and persevering. In Kishore Jena's journey, a pivotal juncture emerged not from grand gestures, but from a poignant 3 am conversation with his father, tears streaming down his face – a turning point that rescued him from thoughts of abandoning javelin throwing. Fast forward several months, marked by notable triumphs, and Kishore stands as India's second-ranked javelin thrower, securing his place at the forthcoming Paris Olympics.

Reflecting on July, the prospect of success seemed distant. Sequestered in a Beirut hotel room, Kishore, despite clinching victory at the Lebanon National Championships with a throw of 78.96m, found himself tearful and contemplating a departure from the sport. This achievement, although a win, fell short of his previous personal best of 82.87m, offering little significance in the broader context of his aspirations.

Seeking guidance, Kishore reached out to his father, Keshab, a rice farmer in the village of Kothasahi near Puri in Odisha. Expressing his frustration to ESPN, Kishore conveyed his struggle, admitting that despite his dedicated efforts, improvement eluded him. Disheartened by the lack of results after being away from home for an extended period, Kishore's plea to his father led to a pivotal advice: give it one final attempt. Keshab encouraged him to participate in the upcoming event, affirming that success would warrant continuation, but failure would welcome him back home.

Armed with this resolve, Kishore journeyed to Colombo for his next competition with a clear ultimatum in mind: success on the field would prolong his athletic career; otherwise, he would return home. A mere six days after the crucial conversation with his father, Kishore achieved a remarkable feat, recording a personal best throw of 84.38m. This outstanding performance not only secured him a spot at the World Championships but also bestowed upon India a new javelin sensation, reinstating Kishore's confidence.

Post his breakthrough in Colombo, Kishore accomplished the following milestones:

- Attained a top-6 finish at the World Championships

- Secured qualification for the Paris Olympics

- Earned a silver medal at the Asian Games

- Emerged as India's premier javelin thrower since the achievements of Neeraj Chopra

Kishore Kumar Jena clinched the silver medal in the men's javelin throw competition during the 19th edition of the Asian Games held in Hangzhou, China.

Following the Colombo event, coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi orchestrated a strategic shift in Kishore's training regimen. Embracing a "do or die" mindset, the duo tackled the challenge in Sri Lanka, where Kishore, initially ranked #42, surged to #36, securing qualification for the World Championships. This success served as a confidence booster, influencing both his mindset and approach.

Malhi's plan aimed for Kishore to peak during the August-September timeframe encompassing the World Championships and Asian Games. Prioritizing performance at the Asian Games, the coaching team adjusted Kishore's training, emphasizing speed work while reducing overall workload and weight training. The tailored approach yielded optimal results, extracting the best from Kishore.

Motivated by the pursuit of victory and consistent personal bests, Kishore approached each competition with resilience. His focus at the World Championships was solely on achieving a personal best, considering the hurdles faced, such as visa issues leading to a last-minute arrival in Budapest. Although initially not part of the Asian Games team, Kishore aimed to qualify for Paris, envisioning a medal alongside another personal best – a goal that materialized successfully.

A poignant moment occurred post-Worlds when Neeraj Chopra, a prominent figure in athletics, presented Kishore with a symbolic token labeled 'Road to Paris 2024.' This small but significant gesture, a memento for Olympic qualification, held profound meaning as Neeraj encouraged Kishore to excel at the Asian Games and collectively aim for the Paris Olympics. This heartfelt exchange served as a powerful motivator, inspiring Kishore to elevate his performance further.

In the men's javelin throw final at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, China, the celebratory moment featured India's Neeraj Chopra securing gold, Kishore Kumar Jena claiming the silver medal, and Japan's Roderick Genki Dean earning the bronze. The triumphant trio shared a joyous celebration in this iconic snapshot.

Kishore's notable performance at the Asian Games

Kishore's notable performance at the Asian Games, where he momentarily led Neeraj in the final – an unprecedented occurrence in Neeraj's recent career – resulted in widespread recognition. This spotlight unveiled Kishore's compelling backstory: the youngest among seven siblings, his father's incapacitation due to a 2018 accident left the family struggling. With the family income diminished, they had to sell portions of their ancestral land to make ends meet. Motivated by a desire to settle family debts and ensure stability, Kishore's achievements gained him attention.

Post-Asian Games, the Odisha government's award of a Rs. 1.5 crore prize, coupled with a commitment to cover all his training expenses leading up to the Paris Olympics, allowed Kishore to fulfill his goal of supporting his family and settling their debts.

Despite his successes, Kishore maintains humility, stating, "I don't perceive my accomplishments as monumental. Life has undergone some changes, but I remain the same Kishore. The heightened interest around me sometimes feels strange," he remarks with a modest smile.

In a manner reminiscent of Neeraj, Kishore's grounded nature sets him apart. This is evident in his Zoom username, "Jena 84.38m," a reminder of his exceptional throw and a testament to staying connected to his roots.