BHUBANESWAR: Asian Games silver medallist Kishore Kumar Jena said on Tuesday that everyday is a new learning experience and that he has benefited from competing with world and Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra.
Odisha's Jena, who will take part at the National Federation Senior Athletics Championship here, said India would be well served at the Paris Olympics with three athletes expected to compete in men's javelin throw.
"I always enjoy competing with Neeraj and I hope that he will win the Olympic gold again. Yes, it will be a big moment to compete at my home ground and I will try and do my best," Jena told reporters, in the absence of Chopra, at a press conference.
Asked about his disappointing show at the recent Diamond League meet in Doha, Jena, who trains at NSNIS Patiala, said he had expected a much better performance.
"Maybe it was because of my overconfidence. I had a good warm-up and was relaxed and in the right frame of mind going into the first round. But I made some mistakes," Jena said.
"I look at it as a learning experience and you will see better performance in the coming months," said Jena who will be up against Chopra and DP Manu in the men's javelin throw final on Wednesday.
No exemptions from competing in India, says Adille: Athletics Federation of India president Adille Sumariwala made it clear to all top athletes that they must participate in a domestic meet to make the team for the Paris Games.
"There will be no exemptions to any of the top athletes except Neeraj Chopra. Chopra will get special permission as the Inter-State meet clashes with the Diamond League in Paris. All other athletes will have to mandatorily compete in one domestic event," he said.
Though Sumariwala was not ready to predict India's medal haul in athletics at the Paris Olympics, he pointed to several scenarios which could see Indians on the podium."We have chance if we can do 8.42m in men's long jump, we have chance if our men's relay team can go under 2:58s, we have a chance in steeplechase and likewise," he signed off.
