Kishore Jena

Kishore Kumar Jena from Odisha, is an accomplished Indian track and field athlete specializing in the javelin throw. Initially a volleyball player, Jena transitioned to javelin throw after being rejected from a sports hostel due to his height and recognizing his limitations in volleyball. This shift marked the beginning of an impressive career trajectory in athletics.

Employed by the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Bhopal since 2018, Jena's early foray into javelin throw was facilitated by coach Laxman Baral, who introduced him to the sport with a handmade bamboo javelin. Under the guidance of coach Nilamadhab Deo at the Bhubaneswar sports hostel, Kishore honed his skills and began to make a mark in college-level competitions. 

Despite these hardships, Kishore continued to improve, breaking the state record with a throw of 72.77m in 2017. His talent secured him a job with the CISF, providing much-needed financial stability. 

However, it was under the mentorship of Jagbir Singh, a throwing events coach at CISF, that Kishore's potential truly began to flourish. Jagbir’s belief in Kishore's capabilities led to his recommendation for the national camp at Patiala, which proved to be a turning point in Jena's career.

With the support of coach Samarjeet Singh Malhi, an Asian Athletics Championship bronze medallist, Kishore's performance saw significant improvements. Proper training and diet, previously neglected due to financial constraints, contributed to his enhanced capabilities. 

By 2021, Jena had thrown over 76 meters at the Odisha State Championships, and in 2022, he set a new personal best of 78.05m at the National Open Athletics Championships in Bengaluru.

He started with a gold medal at the Indian Open Throws Competition in Bellary, followed by his first breach of the 80m barrier at the Indian Grand Prix in Thiruvananthapuram, where he won gold with an 81.05m throw. Kishore’s performance continued to peak, culminating in a personal best throw of 84.77m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, where he finished fifth despite initial visa challenges. 

Kishore’s most remarkable performance came at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou in October 2023, where he secured a silver medal with a personal record throw of 87.54m, the second-longest by an Indian javelin thrower, surpassed only by Neeraj Chopra.