–By Sundeep Misra
Kishore Jena’s frustration is palpable. It’s raw, unfolding in the open air of Patiala. Each of his six throws was wrapped in the hope of recreating the magic of 2023 – that remarkable Budapest World Championship final ((84.77m) and the Hangzhou Asian Games silver (87.54m), where he pushed Neeraj Chopra to the brink. At the Indian Open Throws Competition (March 7-8), Jena headlined Group B toward the tail end of the two-day meet, searching for that lost rhythm.
Jena’s run-up remained smooth, save for a subtle hesitation where he held back his throwing arm – an unusual technical add-on absent in his 2023-24 peak. An opening throw of 74.61m hinted at a bigger push to come, but the narrative slipped out of his hands when Army man Shivam Lohakare unleashed an 81.08m on his first attempt. It was the first 80m throw by an Indian in 2026, making Lohakare only the fourth javelin thrower globally to cross that mark this year, while simultaneously breaching the Asian Games qualification standard.
Despite a handful of supporters urging him on with cries of “Jena Bhai, ek aur 85 maar do,” Jena’s fifth throw of 74.75m was the ceiling of his performance. Returning from a nine-month injury layoff is never seamless; Jena looked tentative, constantly conferring with his coach, Steve Lemke. The big throw simply didn’t materialize. Afterward, Lemke was overheard consoling his ward, insisting the below-par session wasn’t entirely his fault.
Zipped up in a thin Manchester City hoodie, Jena reflected: “It is frustrating at times. It’s always difficult to come back after an injury. But I will make it. It’s only a matter of time.”
Indian track and field exists in its own unique orbit. Deep inside the National Institute of Sports (NIS), Patiala, on a weather-beaten, dusty track with the early summer sun beating down, athletes and fans draped themselves over the fences to watch the javelin, discus, and hammer events. It was a missed opportunity for the organizers; the small, energetic crowd stood for nearly two days (9 am to 6 pm) without seating. To leave such a committed base standing is to take them for granted.
Track and field thrives on this connection. As U20 shot put champion Omkar Nanda (Odisha) noted: “There is a different environment in Patiala missing in other centres. While I was throwing, they kept pushing me, egging me on. They understand the sport.”
For Jena, the challenges are manifold. Within the brokenness of the time elapsed since the Asian Games, can he still produce meaning and rediscover the 85m-plus territory? Perhaps it is time to stop exalting the achievements of the past to make room for a meaningful present and future.