India has secured 3rd position at the Asian Athletics Championships in Thailand bagging an impressive total of 27 medals. Among the standout performers was the previously unheralded Abha Khatua, who stunned the audience by equaling the shot put national record and winning a silver medal. Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary also shone on the track, securing their second silver medals to contribute to India’s position.
The 28-year-old Abha Khatua from India achieved a remarkable feat as she equaled the shot put national record, setting a new personal best of 18.06m. Her incredible improvement of nearly a meter from her previous lifetime best of 17.13m astonished spectators. Though she finished second, she was only behind the impressive throw of 18.88m by Song Jiayuan of China. Veteran Manpreet Kaur, whose national record Khatua equaled, settled for the bronze with a first-round throw of 17m.
The final day of the championship proved to be golden for India, as they clinched an impressive 13 medals, including eight silver and five bronze medals. Japan emerged as the overall champion, securing 37 medals, including 16 gold medals. China closely followed with 22 medals, including 8 golds, showcasing their dominance in certain events.
One of the standout performers in the championship was 23-year-old Jyothi Yarraji, who made history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in the 100m hurdles. Yarraji’s exceptional performance comes on the heels of her earlier victory in the Federation Cup, where she triumphed in the 100m hurdles with a time of 23.42 seconds. Her pursuit of excellence has made her a true rising star in Indian athletics.
Another remarkable athlete, Parul Chaudhary, also left an indelible mark on the championship by securing two medals. Having claimed gold in the 3000m steeplechase earlier, Chaudhary displayed her versatility by securing a silver medal in the 5000m event. Her impressive time of 15 minutes and 52.35 seconds secured her position as one of India’s finest long-distance runners.
The Asian Athletics Championships proved to be a platform for India’s athletic talents to shine brightly on the international stage. The exceptional performances of Abha Khatua, Jyothi Yarraji, and Parul Chaudhary, along with the collective efforts of the entire Indian team, have rightfully earned India a place of honor among the continent’s top athletes.
