Star hurdler Jyothi Yarraji once again proved her mettle at the Federation Cup Athletics Championship, clinching her second gold medal in the women’s 200m race. The event took place on the concluding day of the championship, and Jyothi’s exceptional performance stole the limelight.
Jyothi’s winning time of 23.42 seconds not only secured her victory but also surpassed the Asian Athletics Championship qualifying mark of 23.50 seconds set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). This outstanding achievement further solidifies her position as one of the top athletes in the country.
The Indian team for the upcoming continental championships will be chosen by the selection committee of the AFI, considering various factors, including the athletes’ potential to bring home medals. With her impressive performances in both the 100m hurdles and the 200m race, Jyothi has undoubtedly strengthened her case for selection.
On the previous day, Jyothi had already secured the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles, setting a new meet record with a time of 12.89 seconds. With her exceptional form and determination, she outshone the country’s top female runners, including Archana Suseendran, to claim her second gold of the tournament.
Archana, representing Tamil Nadu, put up a commendable performance and clocked 23.61 seconds, earning herself the silver medal. The competition among these talented athletes highlighted the depth of talent in Indian sprinting.
In the men’s 200m race, Assam’s Amlan Borgohain emerged victorious with a remarkable time of 20.83 seconds, surpassing the AFI’s Asian Championships mark of 20.61 seconds. His incredible speed and agility showcased his potential to make an impact at the continental level.
The championship also witnessed impressive performances in other events. International javelin thrower Rohit Yadav achieved a personal best of 83.40m, surpassing his previous record of 82.54m, to secure the gold medal. Manu DP took home the silver with an impressive throw of 82.95m.
Furthermore, in the women’s 800m race, five athletes broke the AFI’s Asian Championships mark of 2:05.74, demonstrating the growing competitiveness and talent in middle-distance running. The event was ultimately won by Chanda of Delhi, who showcased her stamina and determination.
In the morning session, Uttar Pradesh distance runner Gulveer Singh added the men’s 5,000m gold to his collection after winning the yellow metal in the 10,000m event on the opening day. His consistent performance and endurance earned him well-deserved recognition.
Jyothi Yarraji’s exceptional performances in the hurdles and sprint events, along with the outstanding achievements of other athletes, have undoubtedly raised the bar in Indian athletics. With the selection committee now faced with the challenging task of assembling the national team for the continental championships, these remarkable athletes have certainly made a strong case for their inclusion. The future of Indian athletics looks promising, with a pool of talented individuals ready to compete on the international stage.