Rice farmer’s son from Odisha’s Kothasahi village and volleyball-convert Kishore Jena looks to make a mark in javelin

The winning throw in Sri Lanka should earn Kishore enough ranking points to qualify for the World Championships in Budapest to be held later this month. He’s waiting for the ranking list to be updated by World Athletics in a day or two.

This is a big deal for the rice farmer’s son from Kothasahi village in Odisha. The youngest of seven children and the only boy, Kishore’s parents Keshab and Harapriya didn’t want to confine him to the farm. Kishore is the only national-level thrower from Kothasahi and is the first from the family to take up a sport.

“My parents encouraged me to pursue sports. Volleyball was popular. The cash prize was an added incentive. The team would split the money. It was not much but about Rs 2,000 to Rs 2,500 per tournament. When I told them that I had taken up javelin throw, they were fine with it as long as I was happy.”

Improved technique

When Kishore switched from the volleyball court to the javelin runway, he didn’t have high expectations. “I never thought I could throw 84 metres-plus. When I started off I was throwing about 55 metres to 60 metres. I used to wonder how other athletes used to throw over 80 metres. But by improving technique and strength I have crossed the 80-metre mark. Now the challenge is to be consistent.”

He was inspired by watching the videos of world record holder Jan Zelezny and India’s Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra.

“Zelezny’s technique and rhythm is so smooth. I watch his technique closely but replicating it in training and competition will take time,” Kishore says.

An Instagram message from Chopra after he won in Sri Lanka made his day, Kishore said.

“He congratulated me and wished me all the best for the future. It is good to be acknowledged by someone who is India’s top athlete. His consistency is amazing and he is an inspiring athlete. I have not been able to talk to him but when I get a chance I have lots of questions.”

Kishore increased his run up steps from 13 – 14 metres to 21 metres on the advice of javelin coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi at the national camp. The angle of the javelin release was also modified to bring it lower.
“At the Federation Cup (in Ranchi), the angle of the javelin was too high,” Kishore said. He finished fourth with a best throw of 76.17 metres.

Kishore’s coach Samarjeet, a former Asian Athletics Championship bronze medal winner, says his ward may be a late bloomer but he has the potential to improve further.

“His weight training has improved. For example his bench press was 115 kg now it is 140 kg. His run up runway was too short and because of that he didn’t have enough time to pick up speed. By increasing the length of his run up, he now has more time to accelerate. His release arc is also more efficient now. We have to work further on his technique. The plan is not to rush because you have to be very scientific about technique,” Samarjeet said.

Kishore isn’t getting carried away by his recent success. “Now in India there are many good javelin throwers and the field is very competitive which is good. At the same time, it also means one has to work harder and smarter. Neeraj has set such a high benchmark. I want to win a big medal for the country. I have to stay focussed and not take anything for granted.”

India all-time top list
Rank Name Distance Date
1. Neeraj Chopra 89.94m June, 2022
2. Shivpal Singh 86.23m April 2019
3. Davinder Singh 84.57m May 2017
4. Kishore Jena 84.38m July 2023
5. DP Manu 84.35m June 2022