Article Today, Vizianagaram:
Uttarandhra found a new sporting icon as Jyothi Yarraji clinched the gold medal in the women’s 100 metres hurdles at the Asian Athletics Championships. Her performance, marked by speed and composure, drew national attention and highlighted a journey shaped by persistence against economic hardship.
Dominance at the Continental Stage
Competing at the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea, Jyothi clocked 12.96 seconds to finish first. The timing underlined her consistency at the Asian level, as she defended her title against a strong field. Despite challenging conditions, she maintained rhythm and control throughout the race.
Recognition from Elected Representative
Soon after the event, Vijayanagaram Member of Parliament Kalisetti Appalanaidu congratulated the athlete through a video call. He described the achievement as a moment of pride for the region and praised her discipline and resilience. He noted that such success from a modest background carried special significance for young aspirants.
Assurance of Government Support
Meanwhile, the MP said the achievement would be brought to the attention of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu. He added that discussions would also be held with Pawan Kalyan and Nara Lokesh to ensure institutional backing. According to him, the State remained committed to supporting elite athletes with training and resources.
From Modest means to Medals
Jyothi’s rise has been shaped by limited facilities and financial constraints. However, steady progress through local and national competitions helped her refine technique and confidence. Over time, she transformed her natural speed into a competitive advantage in hurdles, emerging as a dependable performer on the international circuit.
Record Holder and Olympian
In addition, she holds the distinction of being the first Indian woman to run the 100 metres hurdles in under 13 seconds. Last year, she set a national record of 12.78 seconds and later represented India at the Paris Olympics. After overcoming injury setbacks, she returned to form with renewed focus, training at the High Performance Centre in Odisha.
A Message for Young Athletes
Currently pursuing her final year of graduation, Jyothi balances academics with high-performance sport. Therefore, her journey stands as evidence that sustained effort and structured support can overcome social and economic barriers. Her continued success is expected to inspire a new generation of athletes from rural and underserved regions.
