Kishore Jena Eyes Comeback With Doha and Bengaluru Javelin Goals

Mumbai (Maharashtra) [India] May 08: Kishore Jena’s journey hit a roadblock after his brilliant 2023 season, when an ankle injury slowed his rise. Now, training in Mumbai at the Reliance High Performance Centre, he is slowly finding his rhythm again. This year’s early performances—though not eye-catching—carry deep meaning for him. With throws of 75.99m and 77.82m recently, he sees progress not just in distance, but in confidence.

From 2023 Highs to Silent Struggles

That year, Jena had made India proud with his powerful javelin throws. But as 2024 began, pain held him back. He couldn’t even trust his body fully. At practice, he didn’t push too hard, afraid the ankle would hurt again. That fear made him cautious, slower, and less confident. Yet every practice throw helped him grow a little. His coach and close teammates stood by him, reminding him of his strength.

Small Steps, Big Courage

Instead of rushing back, Jena worked slowly. He first threw from a shorter run-up to build muscle memory. This helped his body regain its old rhythm without pressure. Then came full throws—difficult but doable. With time, his block position—the moment a javelin thrower stops the leg to generate power—became stronger. Now, after three months of practice, he is almost pain-free. That’s a big win for any athlete after surgery.

A Coach’s Patience, A Friend’s Support

Coach Steve Lemke knew Jena’s battle was not just physical. Fear, doubt, and pressure often live quietly in an athlete’s mind. He gave Jena time, focus, and the freedom to not be perfect. Meanwhile, a small message from Olympic gold medallist Neeraj Chopra gave him a boost. Words from champions can do wonders—they remind others that belief is stronger than pain. That message helped Jena believe again.

Eyes on the Future, Heart in the Game

Now, Kishore is preparing for two important events—Doha Diamond League on May 16 and NC Classic in Bengaluru on May 24. His aim isn’t medals right now, but to enjoy the sport again. His next big target is to qualify for the World Championships, where the throw mark is 85.50m. He hasn’t reached that in training yet, but says he’s close.