Kishore Jena, the first international medallist from Odisha in Javelin (silver in Hangzhou Asian Games) dreams of a boom in javelin-throw in his state after he pioneered the trend. 

The villagers in the surroundings of Kishore's home in Kothasathi village in the Bramhmagiri area of Puri district already celebrated the day Kishore acquired a silver medal in the Asian Games at Hangzhou. Local MLA Lalitendu Bidyadhar Mohapatra met Kishore’s family members and provided aid of Rs.10 lakh to make a Javelin club in the village. 

Kishore who returned to New Delhi from Hangzhou a couple of days ago said over the phone, "I received a lot of phone calls from my state after acquiring silver in Hangzhou. My parents wept in joy while speaking over the phone. I heard several young boys in our area have started practicing javelin. I am delighted to have heard that the young boys inspired by my success are coming to javelin. I dream of a scenario where more javelin throwers from Odisha will represent the country and bring laurels. I will be the happiest person that day." 

Odisha government has already announced Rs 1.5 crore for the athlete. Kishore wants to use a portion of the amount for the renovation work of his house which has asbestos roofs.

The athlete who is expecting to be included in the Union Sports Ministry’s ‘Target Olympics Podium’ (TOPs) scheme after having qualified for the Paris Olympics next year added, “Now I want to continue training in India under our national coach Samarjit Singh Mally for next couple of months. Then I might go abroad to take part in a few competitions.” 

He expressed profound gratitude to Neeraj Chopra whose gold in the Tokyo Olympics has completely changed the scenario in Indian athletics, especially the javelin. 

When asked whether Neeraj gave him any advice after the Asian Games, Kishore divulged, “He used to give a lot of advice often during the Asian Games. After I earned silver he told me not to become complacent and drive into more hard work to prepare for the Paris Olympics." 

Neeraj Chopra’s advice is another achievement feels Kishore Jena.