Up against it: Jena will have to find his rhythm quickly.
| Photo Credit: FILE PHOTO: K.R. DEEPAK
Talented youngster Shivam Lohakare and Kishore Kumar Jena would be in the spotlight in the men’s javelin throw at the two-day Indian Open Throws competition in Patiala over the weekend, while Tajinderpal Singh Toor would get a chance to assess his preparations ahead of a busy international season.
With the Athletics Federation of India deciding not to consider performances in the event for Commonwealth or Asian Games selections, it will be more about the athletes tracking their progress and getting close to a direct qualification mark than anything else.
The 20-year-old Lohakare, the latest entrant to India’s 80m club and who broke Neeraj Chopra’s long-standing inter-services championship record last year, will be looking to improve on his own best mark of 84.31m, even as Jena, once touted as Neeraj’s rival, would be hoping to regain his spot.
Jena, whose previous outing was way back in July 2025 at the Kip Kieno Classic with a disappointing 73.06m, last crossed the 80m mark at the Paris Olympics. Lohakare’s mark at the event, not ratified, nevertheless makes him a favourite.
Two-time Asian Games shot put champion Toor, meanwhile, will have to stave off stiff challenge from the 25-year-old Samardeep Singh Gill. The two have dominated in domestic events over the past two years, winning four competitions each, with Samardeep taking the honours in the last four. The 31-year-old Toor, however, managed silver with a 20.05m throw at the Asian Indoor Championships last month.
Chief coach Radhakrishnan has made it clear that athletes will have to achieve the qualification mark at either the Federation Cup (May 22-25, Ranchi) or inter-State Championships (June 24-28, Bhubaneswar) for consideration.
Published – March 06, 2026 07:21 pm IST
