India’s stellar performance at the Asian Athletics Championships resulted in a joint-best finish in 23 years, securing the third spot in the medal standings. The Indian athletes exceeded expectations by clinching a remarkable 27 medals, including six golds, surpassing their tally from the previous edition by 11 medals.
The championship held in Bangkok, Thailand served as a crucial test for India’s track and field athletes as they prepare for the upcoming 2023 Asian Games in China, commencing on September 23. Despite facing doping suspensions prior to the event, the athletes showcased their prowess on the field, indicating positive progress in the sport.
Tajinderpal Singh Toor successfully defended his shot-put title, while Jyothi Yarraji and Parul Chaudhary secured a gold and silver medal respectively. Tejaswin Shankar made a strong impression in his decathlon debut for India.
The highlight of the event was Sreeshankar Murali’s outstanding performance in the men’s long jump, where he not only achieved his best jump abroad but also secured a silver medal. This remarkable feat also earned him a qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Sreeshankar’s achievements continue to solidify his position as a rising star in athletics. His recent jump of 8.37m in Bangkok adds to his list of remarkable accomplishments, including a podium finish at a Diamond League event in Paris last month. With his sights set on the upcoming World Championships and Asian Games, Sreeshankar remains a promising talent for India.
Tejaswin clocked his lowest-ever decathlon score but won bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships.
Tejaswin Shankar, who took up decathlon only a year ago, won bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships with his lowest-ever decathlon score. This was his first time representing India in the decathlon and only his fourth decathlon overall.
He finished with a score of 7,639 points, which was 100 points lower than his personal best. However, he did set personal bests in javelin throw and discus throw, and he also totalled his highest-ever day two score.
Despite his success in the decathlon, Tejaswin is clear that he will only compete in the event at the Asian level. He wants to focus on his pet event, the high jump, in bigger competitions.
The decathlon is a gruelling event, and it would be difficult for Tejaswin to compete at his best in both events. If he were to compete in both events, one event would likely suffer.
This was evident in the recent Asian Athletics Championships, where Tejaswin competed in the decathlon and the high jump. He finished third in the decathlon, but he only cleared 2.10 meters in the high jump, which is a long way from his personal best of 2.29 meters.
It is clear that Tejaswin is better off focusing on his pet event, the high jump. He has the potential to be a world-class high jumper, and he will have a better chance of achieving his goals if he focuses on that event.
Jyothi continues to impress with her consistency in Indian athletics.
Jyothi Yarraji is a consistent performer in Indian athletics. She has run the 100m hurdles in under 13 seconds six times in 2023, which is more than any other Indian woman hurdler in history.
In the recent Federation Cup, Jyothi won gold in the 100m hurdles and silver in the 200m dash. She ran a brilliant race in the hurdles, even though it was raining heavily. She also set a personal best time of 23.13 seconds in the 200m dash.
Jyothi’s consistency is a testament to her hard work and dedication. She is a role model for young athletes in India, and she is sure to achieve great things in the future.
Swapna Barman’s back injury did not stop her from winning silver in the heptathlon.
Swapna Barman, who has been battling a back injury for the past few years, won a remarkable silver medal in the heptathlon at the Federation Cup. She is the first Indian woman to win a medal in the event.
Barman’s back injury is so severe that she cannot climb stairs, jump hurdles, or even perform a single squat. On a good day, she can only manage one training session.
Despite her injury, Barman refused to give up. She trained hard and competed in the Federation Cup. She finished second in the event, behind only long jumper Anju Bobby George.
Barman’s silver medal is a testament to her determination and perseverance. She is an inspiration to all athletes who are facing adversity.
Abdulla Aboobacker, Shaili Singh, and Manu DP impress at Federation Cup.
Abdulla Aboobacker won the men’s triple jump with a leap of 16.92 meters, his fourth-best jump of all time. This is his first international medal since winning silver at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
Shaili Singh won the silver medal in the women’s long jump with a jump of 6.55 meters. This is her first international medal, but she did finish third at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix in Japan a month ago.
Manu DP won the silver medal in the javelin throw with a best throw of 81.01 meters. This is a good performance for Manu, who did not meet the Athletics Federation of India’s entry standard for the Asian Games. However, with India’s third-ranked javelin thrower, Rohit Yadav, sidelined by an elbow injury, Manu may have improved his chances of qualifying for the Asian Games.
All three athletes performed well at the Federation Cup, and they will be hoping to continue their good form in the upcoming competitions.
