The Asiad silver is Jena’s claim-to-fame story, however not many are conscious of the little backstory to it from Hungary, a month earlier than Jena completed behind Neeraj in Hangzhou, which booked him his maiden ticket to the Olympics.
It was the World Championships in Budapest. Jena was making his debut on the elite event, and completed a commendable fifth whereas watching Neeraj grow to be a world champion.
Jena’s then private better of 84.77 fell an agonizing 43 cm behind the automated Olympic qualification mark of 85.20. He returned to the resort room somewhat despondent, although a top-five end within the last that had the likes of Neeraj, Arshad Nadeem, Jakub Vadlejch, Julian Weber and different high world throwers was no imply feat.
That is when Neeraj referred to as Jena to his room and impressed him in his personal distinctive approach.
“The largest factor about him, other than his efficiency and achievements, is which you can ask him no matter, and he’ll reply like he is only one of us, a standard athlete. He by no means thinks like he’s an enormous participant,” Jena advised Timesofidia.com throughout an interview, as he narrated Neeraj’s gesture that touched his coronary heart.
“The day our competitors on the World Championships completed, I went again to our room round midnight. Our flight was early the following morning; we needed to go away by 4 – 4:30 am,” stated Jena.
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Neeraj was, maybe, conscious of Jena’s mind-set at that time.
“Neeraj bhai referred to as me to his room,” Jena continued. “He had certified for the Paris Olympics in the course of the World Championships with a gold medal. So he obtained a small piece of memorabilia, which had ‘Go for Paris’ written on it.”
“He gifted that to me and stated, ‘Jena, maintain this and work laborious. I will see you on the Asian Video games subsequent. Do effectively there’.”
Neeraj’s phrases turned prophetic.
Jena not solely improved his private finest on the Asian Video games with a throw of 87.54, but additionally gained a silver medal to share the rostrum with Neeraj who efficiently defended his 2018 gold together with his season finest 88.88m.
The opposite large results of that efficiency was that it ensured Jena can be on the flight to Paris.
“I nonetheless have it with me,” Jena stated concerning the little reward from Neeraj that impressed him.
“Ek crore mei ek aadmi aisa hota hai (there is just one individual like Neeraj amongst a crore).”
(The above story is from the interview executed in November 2023)
