Did the Asian Athletics Women's 4x400 Relay Team Break a 12-Year Gold Drought in Gumi?
Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Women's 4x400 relay team ends 12-year gold drought.
- Jyothi Yarraji sets new continental record in 100m hurdles.
- Avinash Sable wins gold in men's 3000m steeplechase.
- India secures three gold medals on a rainy day.
- Preparations for Tokyo World Athletics Championships are underway.
Gumi (South Korea), May 29 (NationPress) The women's 4x400 relay team shattered a 12-year gold medal drought, clinching victory while hurdler Jyothi Yarraji and steeplechaser Avinash Sable achieved record-breaking performances on an extraordinary day for India during the 26th Asian Athletics Championships held in Gumi on Thursday.
Despite a rain delay on the third day of the competition, the Indian athletes showcased their determination by winning three consecutive gold medals.
Avinash Sable kicked off the medal spree by triumphing in the men's 3000m steeplechase, followed by Jyothi Yarraji in the women’s 100m hurdles. The third gold of the day was secured in the women’s 4x400m relay, although the men’s 4x400m team had to settle for silver.
In a tactically intense men’s 3000m steeplechase, Sable, at age 30, surged ahead in the final lap to clinch gold with a time of 8:20.92 seconds, marking his best performance of the season. This event was his third competition of the year, following back-to-back Diamond League events in China, as he prepares for the upcoming Tokyo World Athletics Championships scheduled from September 13 to 21.
“I was confident of winning gold as I was the strongest contender,” Sable expressed during a post-race interview. He has already secured his spot for the World Championships.
Jyothi capitalized on her opportunity in the 100m hurdles, brilliantly navigating the last two hurdles to finish with a new continental record of 12.96 seconds.
In her pursuit of gold, Jyothi broke the long-standing record of 12.97 seconds set in 1998 by Yun Feng in Fukuoka, Japan. Her time of 12.96 seconds also marked her season's best. “I’m thrilled to have broken the 13-second barrier this season,” she shared after her victory.
It was a stellar performance for Suba Venkatesan, who anchored the women’s 4x400m relay team to gold.
The Indian team had previously finished first in the men’s 4x400m heat with a time of 3:06.28, improving to 3:03.67 in the finals but ultimately taking silver.
In the jumping events, Ancy Sojan secured silver while Shaili Singh took bronze. However, Sarvesh Anil Kushare could not earn a medal in the men’s high jump.
Indian Results (Day 3):
Men:
3000m Steeplechase: Avinash Sable (India) 8:20.92, Yutaro Niinae (Japan) 8:24.41, Zakaria Elahlaami (Qatar) 8:27.12
Shot Put: Mohammadreza Tayebiseifkoti (Iran) 20.32m, Xing Jailiang (China) 19.97m, Mohammed D. Tolu (Saudi Arabia) 19.92m. Samardeep Singh Gill (India) 6th 19.25m
4x400m Relay: India silver (Jay Kumar, Dharamveer Choudhary, Manu TS, Vishal TK) 3:03.67.
Women:
10,000m: Daisy Jepkemei (Kaz) 30:48.44, Ririka Hironaka (Japan) 30:56.32, Mikuni Yada (Japan) 31:12.21, Sanjivani Jadhav (India 5th) 33:08.17, Seema (India 6th) 33:08.23.
Long Jump: Reihaneh Mobini Arani (Iran) 6.40m, Ancy Sojan (India) 6.33m, Shaili Singh (India) 6.30m
100m Hurdles: Jyoti Yarraji (India) 12.97 seconds, Yumi Tanaka (Japan) 13.07 seconds, Wu Yanni (China) 13.07 seconds.
Discus Throw: Feng Bin (China) 61.90m, Subenrat Insaeng (Thailand) 57.68m, Nanaka Kori (Japan) 56.48m. Seema (India 4th) 56.17m.