Odisha govt announces Rs 25 lakh reward for javelin star Kishore Jena

Odisha’s ace athlete Kishore Jena might have missed a medal in the men’s javelin final at the World Athletics Championships 2023 in Budapest, but he has won millions of hearts back home by registering a career-best performance. Jena finished in the fifth position.

Like the sports lovers, the Odisha government too recognised this feat and announced a reward of Rs 25 lakh for the state’s javelin star. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik on Monday announced the cash reward.

Kishore Jena is the first person from Odisha to represent India at the Finals of the World Athletics Championship in Budapest.

As data stands, Jena showed his prowess and finished in the fifth place. He achieved a new personal best with a throw covering a distance of 84.77 metres, highlighting his exceptional performance on the global stage.

“Kishore’s participation is a remarkable feat for the athlete and a historic achievement in the sports history of Odisha,” the CMO said in a statement.

For the first time, three Indians finished in the top eight of an event in the World Championships this year. While Neeraj Chopra became the first Indian to win a gold medal, DP Manu finished in the sixth position, throwing 84.14m.