India’s Kishore Kumar Jena qualified for the men’s javelin throw competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics with a throw of 86.77 metres on Wednesday in Hanghzou, China. Neeraj Chopra successfully defended his javelin throw championship at the Asian Games with a best throw of 88.88 metres.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed India’s “remarkable accomplishments” in javelin at the Asian Games with Neeraj Chopra claiming the gold and Kishore Kumar Jena bagging the silver. Indian javelin throw star Neeraj Chopra defended his crown at the event while Jena took home silver medal with his power-packed performance in Hangzhou.
“Our accomplishments in Men’s Javelin at Asian Games are remarkable. The Silver also comes to India. Congratulations to @Kishore78473748 for winning this splendid Silver in the event. The nation cherishes this victory,” PM Modi posted on X. (Fact Check: Chinese Cheated? Why Neeraj Chopra’s First Attempt Not Recorded In Asian Games 2023 Men’s Javelin Final)
In the Puri district of Odisha’s Kothasahi village sits Kishore Jena’s home. The youngest brother of six sisters, Kishore Jena’s father is a farmer and, although suffering financial difficulties in arranging for the union of each of his daughters, he never gave up on realising his son’s ambitions. He used to play volleyball, according to Jena when he was a teenager. He started throwing the javelin in 2015. In Bhubaneswar’s Sports Hostel, he began his professional career. He currently belongs to the Patiala Sai Centre. There are no athletes in the family. He comes from a typical middle-class background.
#Odisha‘s star athlete Kishore Kumar Jena has clinched the silver medal in men’s javelin throw in #AsianGames with a phenomenal 87.54m throw. His remarkable achievement also secured his spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics!#OdishaForSports pic.twitter.com/WqUyt9kSA9
— Odisha Sports (@sports_odisha) October 4, 2023
Prime Minister also congratulated silver medallist Avinash Sable, who bagged a silver medal in the Men’s 5000m event and said that the athlete put a “splendid performance” in the final.
Sable finished second with a timing of 13:21.09, below Bahrain’s Birhanu Yemataw, who shattered the Games record by clocking 13:17.40. This is Sable’s second medal at the 19th Asian Games, after he previously broke the Games Record in the men’s 3000m steeplechase event, clinching a gold medal.
“A well-deserved Silver for @avinash3000m in the Men’s 5000m event. My heartiest congratulations to Avinash for putting up such a splendid performance. He is an outstanding champion!” Prime Minister posted on X.
PM Modi lauded the Asian Games silver medallist Indian runner Harmilan Bains and said that she is a great source of inspiration for all aspiring athletes. (Highlights | Asian Games 2023 Day 11, Medal Tally: Neeraj Chopra Wins Gold For India With Season Best Throw Of 88.88m In Men’s Javelin Final)
Neeraj Chopra, Kishore Kumar Jena and Men’s 4×400m relay team together celebreated the win and medals in this Asian Games.
– Moments of the day..pic.twitter.com/KBvqlAuk6j
— CricketMAN2 (@ImTanujSingh) October 4, 2023
“Another Silver for India in the Women’s 800m event at the Asian Games. Congratulations @HarmilanBains on this splendid performance. She is a great source of inspiration for all aspiring athletes,” PM said.
In the final moments of the race, it seemed as if Harmilan was destined to finish fourth, outside medal contention. However, she found another gear in the closing moments of the race to move past the Chinese duo of Chunyu Wang and Xinyu Rao and clinch silver. Harmilan clocked 2:03.75s to claim the second position, falling 0.55s short of Sri Lanka’s Tharushi, who topped the chart and won gold with a timing of 2:03.20s. (With ANI inputs)
