When Neeraj Chopra inspired Kishore Jena to ‘go to Paris’: The touching story | Paris 2024 Olympics News

Kishore Jena, fondly called ‘Jena Babu’ whenever he throws spears in and around his native state of Odisha, built his javelin career under the shadow of Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra – until his beaming image standing next to his idol, Neeraj, on the podium at the Hangzhou Asian Games introduced him to the world.

The Asian Games silver medal is the story that made Jena famous, but not many know the little story behind it in Hungary, a month before Jena finished behind Neeraj in Hangzhou, earning her her first ticket to the Olympics.

It was the World Championships in Budapest. Jena was making her debut in the elite tournament and finished a respectable fifth while watching Neeraj become world champion.

Jena’s personal best of 84.77 was 43cm short of the automatic Olympic qualifying mark of 85.20. He returned to the hotel a little discouraged, even though a top-five finish in the final, which included Neeraj, Arshad Nadeem, Jakub Vadlejch, Julian Weber and other top throwers, was no mean feat.

That’s when Neeraj called Jena to his room and inspired her in his own unique way.

“The most important thing about him, apart from his performances and achievements, is that you can ask him anything, and he will answer as if he is just one of us, a normal athlete. He never thinks like he is a great player,” Jena told Timesofidia.com in an interview, recounting Neeraj’s gesture that touched her heart.

“The day our World Championships competition ended, I went back to our room around midnight. Our flight was early the next morning; we were supposed to leave around 4:00-4:30 in the morning,” Jena said.




Neeraj was perhaps aware of Jena’s state of mind at that time.

“Neeraj bhai invited me to his room,” Jena continued. “He had qualified for the Paris Olympics at the World Championships with a gold medal. So he got a small souvenir that said ‘Go for Paris’.”

“He gave it to me and said, ‘Jena, keep it and work hard. See you at the next Asian Games. Do well there.’

Neeraj’s words became prophetic.

Jena not only improved her personal best at the Asian Games with a throw of 87.54 but also won a silver medal to share the podium with Neeraj who successfully defended his 2018 gold with a season-best throw of 88.88m.

The other big result of this performance was to ensure that Jena will be on the flight to Paris.

“I always have it with me,” Jena said of the little gift from Neeraj that inspired her.

“Ek crore mei ek aadmi aisa hota hai (There is only one person like Neeraj among a crore).”

(The above story is from the interview conducted in November 2023)