Javelin thrower Kishore Jena gets Hungary visa, to participate in World Athletics Championships

New Delhi [India], August 18 (ANI): Athlete Kishore Jena has finally secured a Hungarian Embassy, which allowed him to participate in the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary beginning August 19.

Tokyo Olympics gold medallist Neeraj Chopra had on Thursday taken to microblogging site X to request authorities, including External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to help resolve the issue of Kishore Jena’s visa and help the athlete participate in the Budapest World Athletics Championships.

Jena has finally obtained his visa from the Hungarian embassy. 

The top athletics event will be held in Hungary from August 19 to 27. 

“Just heard that there are issues with Kishore Jena’s VISA, preventing him from entering Hungary for the World C’ships. I hope the authorities are able to find a solution, as this is one of the biggest moments of his career. Let’s do everything we can. @MEAIndia @DrSJaishankar,” tweeted Neeraj. 

Jena,  a promising javelin thrower is currently ranked world No.33 . His personal best throw was 84.38 metres on July 28 in Sri Lanka at the 101st Sri Lankan Championships, which helped him clinch the gold medal. 

India has named a 28-member strong contingent for the World Athletics Championships, led by Olympic gold medalist Javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, who ended the country’s long wait of 19 years for a medal at the championships with a silver in men’s javelin event. 

Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, hurdler Jyothi Yarraji and steeplechaser Avinash Sable will also be in action at the championships.

Shot-putter Tajinderpal Singh Toor had to withdraw due to a groin injury sustained at the Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok last month. He threw 20.23 m to secure a gold but ended up injuring himself. This will be the second successive World Championships Tajinder will miss due to injury, having previously withdrawn from the 2022 Championships in Eugene due to a groin injury. 

Tejaswin Shankar will also miss the event and focus on Asian Games 2023, which will be held from Hangzhou, China from September 23 to October 8. 

28 Athletes who will be competing at the event are; Jyothi Yarraji – 1OOm Hurdles – TOPS Athlete, Parul Chaudhary – 3000m SC, Shaili Singh – Long Jump – TOPS Athlete, Annu Rani – Javelin Throw – TOPS Athlete, Bhawna Jat – Race Walk, Krishan Kumar – 800m, Ajay Kumar Saroj -1500m, Santhosh Kumar Tamilarnsan – 400m Hurdles, Avinash Mukund Sable – 3000m SC – TOPS Athlete, Sarvesh Anil Kushare – High Jump, Jeswin Aldrin -Long Jump – TOPS Athlete, M Sreeshankar – Long Jump – TOPS Athlete, Praveen Chithravel – Triple Jump – TOPS Athlete, Abdulla Aboobacker – Triple Jump – TOPS Athlete, Eldhose Paul – Triple Jump – TOPS Athlete, Neeraj Chopra – Javelin Throw – TOPS Athlete, D.P Manu – Javelin Throw – TOPS Athlete, Kishore Kumar Jena – Javelin Throw, Akashdeep Singh – Race Walk – TOPS Athlete, Vikash Singh – Race Walk, Paramjeet Singh – Race Walk – TOPS Athlete, Ram Baboo – Race Walk, Amoj Jacob – 4 x 400m Relay, Muhammed Ajmal – 4 x 400m Relay, Muhammed Anas – 4 x 400m Relay, Rajesh Ramesh – 4 x 400m Relay, Anil Rajalingam – 4 x 400m Relay and Mijo Chacko Kurian – 4 x 400m Relay.