India logged a 1-2 finish in the Asian Games 2023 men’s javelin throw competition with Neeraj Chopra winning the gold and Kishore Kumar Jena bagging the silver at the Hangzhou Olympic Sports Park Main Stadium, in the People’s Republic of China on Wednesday.
After his first throw was chalked off due to technical issues at the venue, Neeraj Chopra managed a season’s best of 88.88m with his fourth attempt to successfully defend his Asian Games crown. This was the Indian javelin ace’s second gold medal at the continental meet after topping the podium at Jakarta 2018.
The surprise of the night, however, turned out to be Kishore Kumar Jena, who not only won his first major international medal at Hangzhou but also reset his personal best not once but twice on the same night.
Kishore Kumar Jena, who briefly led Neeraj in the Hangzhou 2023 men’s javelin throw standings, registered 86.77m with his third throw to surpass his previous personal best of 84.77m, logged at the Budapest world championships earlier this year. He went on to improve it to 87.54m with his fourth throw, which eventually won him the silver medal in Hangzhou.
The marks also saw Kishore Kumar Jena breach the men’s javelin throw qualification standards for the Paris 2024 Olympics, set at 85.50m.
Japan’s Roderick Genki Dean took the bronze with an 82.68m mark, which came in his fifth throw.
Asian Games 2023 javelin throw: Results for men
A tame attempt for Neeraj with his final throw of the evening and it’s a foul. Kishore Jena also fouls his final attempt to settle for silver.
Neeraj Chopra signs off on a high but the story of the night has to be Kishore Kumar Jena. The 28-year-old wins his first major international medal and while at it, gave the reigning Olympic and world champion a run for his perch.
The Asian Games 2023 will be Neeraj Chopra’s final competition of the year and the Indian javelin thrower will look to sign off the year on a high.
The 25-year-old Neeraj Chopra has competed in five competitions this season heading into Hangzhou 2023. The Indian javelin ace has topped the standings in three of them, including the Budapest world championships, and finished second in two – both times finishing behind the Czech Republic’s Jakub Vadlejch (at the Zurich Diamond League and Diamond League Final in Eugene).
Featured Image: English Jagran