In a dramatic display of mental resilience and athletic brilliance, India’s star hurdler Jyothi Yarraji overcame a torrential downpour, a lengthy delay, and freezing temperatures to clinch gold in the women’s 100m hurdles at the Asian Athletics Championships. Her winning time of 12.96 seconds not only secured the top podium spot but also shattered a 26-year-old continental record.
As she prepared to warm up at the Gumi Sports Complex, Jyothi’s routine was abruptly interrupted by a heavy thunderstorm that delayed the evening session by over two hours. Despite the disruption, the reigning national champion remained focused, turning to visualisation and mental conditioning to keep her mind race-ready.
“As it started to rain, I kept visualising every step of my race—how I’d start, cross each hurdle, and finish strong,” Jyothi said during a virtual interaction post-race. “Even without physical movement, I stayed mentally warmed up. That made all the difference.”
When racing finally resumed at 10:20 p.m. local time, Jyothi translated her mental preparedness into an emphatic performance. Gliding over the final two hurdles with precision, she surged past her competitors and clocked 12.96 seconds, eclipsing the previous continental mark of 12.97 set by China’s Yun Feng in 1998. The feat also marked her season-best time and a successful defense of her Asian title. Reflecting on her journey, Jyothi acknowledged the emotional and physical challenges that came with injuries and unpredictable weather. “I worked incredibly hard in my build-up to this event. There were injuries earlier in the season, but I stayed motivated. I’m grateful to the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) for their unwavering support,” she said.
Her British coach, James Hillier, praised her mental toughness and composure under chaotic conditions. “It was a crazy competition. Just as Jyothi began warming up, we had a horrendous downpour, temperatures dropped, and everything came to a standstill. She ended up doing warm-ups in a storage area near the track,” Hillier recounted.
He emphasized that the night was not about the clock but about composure and victory. “Given the conditions, it wasn’t about time—it was about racing smart. I told her to stay close by hurdle eight, and if she did, she’d win. She did just that.”
Hillier added that the field was competitive, making her win even more meaningful. “It was a tough field. Two of the competitors were really strong, but Jyothi showed her class. To win under those conditions shows she’s not just talented—she’s resilient and tactical.”
With this performance, Jyothi has not only reinforced her status as one of Asia’s premier hurdlers but also demonstrated that champions are defined not just by their speed, but by their ability to rise above adversity.
