Kishore Jena Joins Elite Lineup for Neeraj Chopra Classic: What to Expect?

Kishore Jena Set to Compete in Neeraj Chopra Classic

New Delhi: Kishore Jena, who recently earned a silver medal at the Asian Games, is now part of the roster for the upcoming Neeraj Chopra Classic, as announced by the event organizers on Thursday. This addition brings the total number of competitors to 12, with five representing India.

Scheduled for May 24 at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium in Bengaluru, the Neeraj Chopra Classic promises to be an exciting event.

At 29 years old, Jena will compete alongside India's promising javelin talents, including Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, and Sahil Silwal, all eager to face off against double Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra and other top athletes.

This new javelin competition has received 'A' category status from World Athletics and will feature five Indian athletes, including Chopra, who is also the event's host.

Jena secured his silver medal at the Hangzhou Asian Games with a personal best throw of 87.54 meters, finishing just behind Neeraj.

International competitors include two-time world champion Anderson Peters from Grenada (personal best: 93.07m), 2016 Olympic gold medalist Thomas Rohler from Germany (93.90m), and 2015 world champion Julius Yego from Kenya (92.72m). Other notable participants are American Curtis Thompson (season leader with 87.76m), Asian Games bronze medalist Genki Dean from Japan (84.28m), Rumesh Pathirage from Sri Lanka (85.45m), and Luiz Mauricio da Silva from Brazil (85.91m).

The event is a collaborative effort between Chopra, JSW Sports, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), and World Athletics.