The 29-year-old athlete, who hails from Kothasahi village in Odisha’s Puri district, is looking to build momentum after a challenging yet inspiring 2024 season, where he competed alongside reigning Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra. Jena, a silver medalist at the 2022 Asian Games with a personal best of 87.54m, has become a symbol of resilience in Indian athletics. Born to paddy farmers Keshab and Harapriya Jena, his path to prominence was far from straightforward. Initially a volleyball player, Jena switched to javelin after facing rejection from a sports hostel due to his short stature. Since joining the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) in Bhopal in 2018, he has dedicated himself to the sport, earning accolades and a spot on the global stage. The Indian Open Athletics Meet, organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), provides Jena with a platform to fine-tune his skills early in the season. The AFI, affiliated with World Athletics and the Indian Olympic Association since its inception in 1946, oversees 32 state and institutional units and plays a pivotal role in nurturing talent like Jena. After a mixed 2024—where he breached the 80m mark at the Inter-State Athletics Meet (80.84m) but finished 8th at the Paris Diamond League with a 78.10m throw—Jena is determined to reclaim his peak form. Reflecting on his journey, Jena has often spoken about the mental and physical challenges he faced after his Asian Games success. An ankle injury before the 2024 Federation Cup in Bhubaneswar saw him finish fifth with a modest 75.49m throw, a disappointing result in front of his home crowd. However, his Olympic debut at the Stade de France last August, where he competed against the world’s best, has only fueled his ambition. “The Olympics showed me what I’m capable of, but also where I need to improve,” Jena said in a recent interview. “This season, I’m focusing on consistency and pushing my limits further.” Jena’s return to competition is a significant moment for Indian athletics fans, who see him as a key figure alongside Neeraj Chopra in elevating the sport’s profile in the country. With the Indian Open Athletics Meet serving as a springboard, Jena aims to set the tone for a packed 2025 calendar, which includes national and international events. His story of grit, from a rural background to the Olympic stage, continues to inspire a new generation of athletes in India.