Kishore Kumar Jena and Annu Rani, two Indian javelin throwers, finished first in their respective categories on Friday in the Lebanon National Championship in Beirut. With a throw of 78.96 metres, Kishore won the men’s javelin throw gold medal.
His fellow countryman Shivpal had to settle for silver with a performance of 73.34 metres. Kishore, the young athlete who hails from Odisha, participated in his first international competition here.
Annu Rani won the gold medal for the women’s division with a throw of 55.32 metres. Considering Annu’s personal best of 63.24m, it was a poor throw. For the Indian athletes, the competition was crucial because it would determine whether they would qualify for the Budapest World Championships.
Kishore, currently at 36th after earning the gold medal, will be aiming to hold onto that position until July 30 – the qualification deadline – in order to clinch a seat for his first-ever international championships.
Annu Rani, a national record holder, is now ranked 29th and has essentially qualified for her event.