Jashbir Nayak aims for the Asian Games with speed, height, and endurance.

• Jashbir Nayak, a 22-year-old athlete from Odisha, has made significant progress in the decathlon over a year. He won the gold medal in Patna with a new meet record of 7065 points.
• Nayak’s performance has highlighted his potential in athletics’ toughest event and propelled his ambition to do well in the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
• Nayak’s journey as an athlete began with his 12th standard, where he was encouraged to take up an individual sport. He switched to multi-event competitions after being recommended by his father, Siba Prasad Mishra sir, who was working with Reliance Foundation Youth Sports (RFYS).
• After a year, Nayak trained with multi-event coach Sanjay Garnaik, who helped him achieve silver medals in the Indian Open under-23 meet in Chandigarh and the National inter-State meet in Panchkula.
• Nayak’s improvement in the under-23 meet in Chandigarh was attributed to his body structure, ability, talent, and discipline.
• With an overall increase of 1244 points since starting training with Garnaik, there is scope to raise the bar further, with plans to improve about 150 points in pole vault and 150 in high jump.
• Nayak plans to compete alongside elite decathletes who have crossed the 7000 mark, including Asian Games silver medallist Tejaswin Shankar, Yaman Deep, and N. Thowfeeq.
• He appreciates the teamwork and camaraderie in decathlon, and believes that if he continues to improve, he may end up winning a medal.