Indian athletics star Jyothi Yarraji created history at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, on May 29. Moreover, she defended her women’s 100m hurdles title with a stunning championship record of 12.96 seconds, becoming the first Indian woman to clock under 13 seconds in this event.
Racing in an Empty Stadium
The victory came under extraordinary circumstances. Heavy rain forced all spectators to leave the stadium, consequently leaving Jyothi to race in eerie silence. However, this didn’t stop the 27-year-old from Visakhapatnam from delivering her best performance.
“When I reached the finish line, I felt nobody was near me. In so many years, I have not shouted with joy after a race,” Jyothi revealed to reporters, showing rare emotion after typically stoic finishes.
The Race Breakdown
| Position | Athlete | Country | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gold | Jyothi Yarraji | India | 12.96s (Record) |
| Silver | Yumi Tanaka | Japan | 13.04s |
| Bronze | Yanni Wu | China | 13.12s |
Initially, Jyothi trailed behind her rivals at the start. However, her powerful stride length transformed into a weapon after the eighth hurdle. Consequently, she surged past Tanaka and Wu with extraordinary finishing speed.
Smart Technique Change
Interestingly, Jyothi switched back to the safer eight-stride technique this season. Previously, at the Paris Olympics, she experimented with a seven-stride pattern that led to clipped hurdles and a disappointing ninth-place finish.
Coach James Hillier, who has trained her since 2020, praised her decision. “She’s a class act. She executed the race plan perfectly—stronger, leaner, with lower body fat. She’s among the world’s best over the final hurdles now,” Hillier explained.
Furthermore, this tactical adjustment minimized injury risks while maintaining her competitive edge.
Journey from Village to Champion
Jyothi’s story begins in Pombaram village near Visakhapatnam. Originally a long jumper, she switched to hurdles in 2017 during state trials. Subsequently, she faced numerous challenges:
- Borrowed spikes for early competitions
- Trained on makeshift barriers
- Overcame financial difficulties
Eventually, the Reliance Foundation supported her move to Hyderabad to train with Coach Hillier.
Recent Achievements and Setbacks
Career Timeline:
2023: Won first Asian gold in Bangkok (13.09s) in another rain-evacuated stadium
2024: Set national record of 12.78s; disappointed at Paris Olympics
February 2025: Won 200m gold at National Games (23.35s)
May 2025: Defended Asian title with championship record
Additionally, a hamstring injury in April briefly sidelined her, making this comeback even more remarkable.
Looking Ahead: World Championships 2026
With this gold medal, Jyothi now targets the 2026 World Championships in Tokyo. Specifically, she needs to clock 12.73 seconds to qualify. Given her current trajectory, experts believe she can achieve this standard.
Athletics Federation of India President Adille Sumariwalla praised her: “Jyothi’s medals are India’s pride—she’s a beacon of perseverance.”
Moreover, government support through Khelo India schemes has strengthened her training infrastructure.
Social Media Sensation
Videos of Jyothi receiving her medal in the empty stadium went viral on social media. Many Indians expressed pride while also noting the irony that such a champion performed without anyone present to applaud her achievement.
Standing tall at 1.78 meters, Jyothi Yarraji continues inspiring rural girls across India to pursue athletics. Furthermore, her story demonstrates how dedication, smart coaching, and mental fortitude can overcome financial limitations and setbacks to achieve international glory.
