Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s javelin hero, Kishore Jena returned home to a heartwarming reception. The Sports Director, Siddhartha Das, Jt Secretary Ranjit Parida, Head Coach, Odisha Relinace Foundation Athletics HPC, Martin Owens, and officials of the Sports & Youth Services Department gathered reached the Biju Patnaik International Airport to welcome him.
Kishore Jena is the first athlete from Odisha to represent India in the finals of the recently concluded prestigious World Athletics Championship in Budapest. He was among the top five finalists with a throw of 84.77 metres.
His journey from the Sports Hostel in Bhubaneswar to the world stage has been nothing short of inspiring, and his achievements resonate with the dreams and aspirations of countless young athletes across the nation.
“The State Government has pledged unwavering support to Kishore’s continued journey towards excellence in the world of athletics. Kishore Jena’s remarkable achievements are a testament to the immense talent that exists in Odisha. His success story serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes, proving that with relentless dedication and hard work, they too can reach the pinnacles of success on the global stage,” shared Sports Director, Das.
Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik will be felicitating Kishore with a cash award of Rs 25 lakh today. Earlier on Monday, the CM said that Kishore’s participation is a remarkable feat for the athlete and a historic achievement in the sports history of Odisha. “His remarkable journey and exceptional performance at the World Athletics Championship in Budapest have not only brought glory to our state and nation but will also continue to inspire many athletes for years to come,” Naveen said commending his indomitable spirit.
Notably, Jena was not among the top-tier javelin throwers in India until recently and the remarkable improvement in just six months caught everyone’s attention. He notched up three throws beyond the 80m mark in the current season, elevating himself to the ranks of India’s top javelin throwers. “This whole thing started after Neeraj’s feat. ‘If he can do it, so can I’ is how every Indian athlete feels these days,” Jena had earlier told TOI.
“In 2017, I hit the mark of 72m. From then till 2021, my performance didn’t change much. However, in September 2021, I touched 76m for the first time.” Incidentally, this was just after Neeraj’s Olympic feat.
Jena’s last best was at the Sri Lankan Championships when he threw 84.38m late last month to win the event and qualify for the Worlds.
Ahead of the final of the World Athletics Championships, people in Jena’s village Kothasahi in Puri district organised a special puja seeking divine blessings for his excellent performance. Kishore’s family offered puja at Alarnatha Temple in Brahmagiri.
