Bhubaneswar: After injury women hurdler Jyothi Yarraje made a strong comeback by winning women’s 100m hurdles gold medal with a timing of 12.99 sec on the inaugural day of the 65th National Inter-State Athletics championships at Kalinga Stadium here on Wednesday and also qualified for the Asian Games.
Earlier, the national record holder Andhra Pradesh athlete Jyothi breached the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) Asian Games qualifying standard on the heats round with 13.14s comfortably bettering the AFI’s qualifying mark of 13.34 seconds.
Her co sprinter Nandhini K of Tamil Nadu bagged the silver medal with her personal best timing of 13.22s and secured the Asian Games qualification mark. In the heats round, Nandini also crossed the Asian Games qualification mark with 13.24s.
After winning the gold Jyothi said “one year back on the same day I got injured and today I am extremely happy that I won the gold with 12.99 sec and qualified for the Asian Games. Last one year was a struggling period for me and I cried a lot. One point of time I thought that it was going to be the end of my career. My coach, supporting staff, Reliance and AFI supported me all the time. Today I have not planned any timing but the result is satisfying. Three months is there for the Asian Games, I will put all my effort into rehabilitation and will bring the Asian gold medal for my country”.
Talking about the injury Jyothi said ‘I had suffered multiple injuries in the last one year. First HCL injury and gone for a surgery. While planning to make a comeback during the Federation Cup, unfortunately got a hamstring injury. Thanks to the almighty, who blessed me to recover from my bad days. Nowadays I am not only stronger physically but also 10 times stronger mentally”.
