Extraordinary performances by three talented athletes brightened Bhubaneswar’s floodlit Kalinga Stadium on the opening day of the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships. Pole vaulter Dev Meena, teenage hammer thrower Anushka Yadav, and sprinter-cum-hurdler Jyothi Yarraji showcased exceptional skills.
Dev Meena from Madhya Pradesh set a new national record in pole vault by clearing 5.46m, surpassing the Asian Games qualification mark. Anushka Yadav, at just 18 years old, impressed with a winning throw of 67.02m, breaking both the national and meet records.
Jyoti Yarraji, the Asian Games silver medallist in women’s 100m hurdles, made a remarkable comeback after a year-long injury hiatus. She not only surpassed the Asian Games qualification mark but also clinched the gold with a time of 12.99 seconds.
Nandhini K of Tamil Nadu secured the silver in the women’s 100m hurdles, while Lasha Ilango from Tamil Nadu won the gold in the triple jump event. The championships witnessed several athletes achieving qualification marks for the upcoming 2026 Asian Games in Japan.
