Asian Athletics Championships 2025: Avinash Sable, Jyothi Yarraji Spearhead India’s Gold Medal Surge
- Women’s 4x400m Relay Team Secures Third Gold for India on Thursday in Gumi
Gumi, Republic of Korea, May 30 (Sports Desk)
India’s medal tally soared at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 on Thursday, with the contingent clinching six medals—three gold, two silver, and one bronze—despite rainy and tough conditions at the Gumi Civic Stadium. Olympians Avinash Sable and Jyothi Yarraji led the charge with gold medals in the men’s 3000m steeplechase and women’s 100m hurdles, respectively, while the women’s 4x400m relay team also topped the podium, bringing India’s total medal count to 14.
Medal Highlights
- Total Medals on Thursday: 6 (3 Gold, 2 Silver, 1 Bronze)
- India’s Overall Tally: 14 medals
- Events with Indian Medals: Men’s 3000m steeplechase, women’s 100m hurdles, women’s 4x400m relay, men’s 4x400m relay, women’s long jump
Men’s 3000m Steeplechase: Avinash Sable’s Historic Gold
Avinash Sable, the reigning Asian Games champion, claimed India’s first gold in the men’s 3000m steeplechase at the Asian Championships in 36 years, clocking a season-best 8:20.92. Sable, who won silver in 2019, outpaced Japan’s Yutaro Niinae (8:24.41, silver) and Qatar’s Zakaria Elahlaami (8:27.12, bronze). This victory marks Sable as the first Indian man to win this event since Deena Ram’s gold in New Delhi in 1989.
- Top Finishers:
- Gold: Avinash Sable (India) – 8:20.92
- Silver: Yutaro Niinae (Japan) – 8:24.41
- Bronze: Zakaria Elahlaami (Qatar) – 8:27.12
- Key Moment: Sable surged ahead after the final water jump, maintaining a steady lead to secure the historic win.
- Significance: Sable’s gold ends a 36-year drought for India in this event, cementing his status as one of India’s premier middle-distance runners.
Women’s 100m Hurdles: Jyothi Yarraji Defends Title with Record
Jyothi Yarraji defended her women’s 100m hurdles title in style, setting a new championship record of 12.96 seconds to win India’s second gold of the day. She edged out Japan’s Yumi Tanaka (13.07, silver) and China’s Wu Yanni (13.07, bronze, decided by thousandths of a second). Yarraji’s performance under wet conditions showcased her resilience and speed.
- Top Finishers:
- Gold: Jyothi Yarraji (India) – 12.96 (Championship Record)
- Silver: Yumi Tanaka (Japan) – 13.07 (.061)
- Bronze: Wu Yanni (China) – 13.07 (.068)
- Key Moment: Yarraji’s explosive start and flawless hurdling technique gave her a clear lead by the fifth hurdle, which she held to the finish.
- Significance: The championship record underlines Yarraji’s dominance in Asia, following her silver at the 2023 Asian Games.
Women’s 4x400m Relay: India’s Quartet Shines
The Indian women’s 4x400m relay team, comprising Jisna Mathew, Rupal Chaudhary, Kunja Rajitha, and Subha Venkatesan, clinched gold with a season-best time of 3:34.18. This marked India’s first gold in the event since 2013, when Nirmala Sheoran, Tintu Luka, Anu Mariam Jose, and Poovamma Raju topped the podium in Pune. Vietnam took silver (3:34.77), and Sri Lanka secured bronze (3:36.67).
- Top Finishers:
- Gold: India (Jisna Mathew, Rupal Chaudhary, Kunja Rajitha, Subha Venkatesan) – 3:34.18
- Silver: Vietnam – 3:34.77
- Bronze: Sri Lanka – 3:36.67
- Key Moment: Rupal Chaudhary’s strong second leg gave India a slight lead, which Subha Venkatesan extended in the anchor leg to secure the win.
- Significance: Rupal and Subha’s repeat success, following their mixed 4x400m relay gold on Wednesday, highlights India’s depth in relay events.
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Men’s 4x400m Relay: Silver for India
The Indian men’s 4x400m relay team, featuring Jay Kumar, Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil Saji, and Vishal TK, earned a silver medal with a time of 3:03.67. Qatar clinched gold in a tight finish (3:03.52), while China took bronze (3:03.73).
- Top Finishers:
- Gold: Qatar – 3:03.52
- Silver: India (Jay Kumar, Dharmveer Choudhary, Manu Thekkinalil Saji, Vishal TK) – 3:03.67
- Bronze: China – 3:03.73
- Key Moment: Vishal TK’s valiant anchor leg nearly overtook Qatar, but a 0.15-second gap secured silver for India.
- Significance: The close finish reflects India’s growing strength in men’s relays, though they fell just short of gold.
Women’s Long Jump: Double Podium for India
India secured two medals in the women’s long jump, with Ancy Sojan winning silver (6.33m) and Shaili Singh taking bronze (6.30m). Iran’s Reihaneh Mobini Arani claimed gold with a 6.40m leap. Ancy’s best jump came on her third attempt, while Shaili’s first jump was her strongest.
- Top Finishers:
- Gold: Reihaneh Mobini Arani (Iran) – 6.40m
- Silver: Ancy Sojan (India) – 6.33m
- Bronze: Shaili Singh (India) – 6.30m
- Key Moment: Ancy’s 6.33m leap briefly put her in contention for gold, but Mobini’s final jump sealed the top spot.
- Significance: Ancy (Asian Games 2023 silver) and Shaili (2023 Asian Championships silver) continue to dominate the regional long jump scene.
India’s Overall Performance
- Total Medals: 14 (as of May 30, 2025)
- Thursday’s Contribution: 3 Gold (Men’s 3000m steeplechase, Women’s 100m hurdles, Women’s 4x400m relay), 2 Silver (Men’s 4x400m relay, Women’s long jump), 1 Bronze (Women’s long jump)
- Standout Performers: Avinash Sable, Jyothi Yarraji, and the women’s 4x400m relay team were the highlights, with Sable and Yarraji setting benchmarks in their events.
- Conditions: Wet weather and a slippery track posed challenges, but India’s athletes adapted well, particularly Yarraji in the hurdles and the relay teams.
Historical Context
- Avinash Sable: First Indian male to win 3000m steeplechase gold since 1989, improving on his 2019 silver.
- Jyothi Yarraji: First woman to defend the 100m hurdles title at the Asian Championships, breaking the championship record.
- Women’s 4x400m Relay: India’s first gold in the event in 12 years, reviving their 2013 success.
- India’s Dominance: With 14 medals, India is poised to challenge for the top spot in the medal tally, building on their strong showing at the 2023 Asian Games.
