The opening day of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships witnessed an outstanding display of talent from Indian athletes, with Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Jyothi Yarraji, and Harmilan Bains securing gold medals in their respective events.
Toor rewrites record books
Toor, a two-time Asian Games gold medallist, made headlines by rewriting the national indoor record in shot put with a staggering throw of 19.72 meters. His exceptional performance earned him the top spot on the podium, leaving behind formidable competitors like Kazakhstan's Ivanov Ivan and Iran's Mehdi Saberi, who settled for silver and bronze respectively.
Yarraji breaks her own national record
Meanwhile, hurdler Yarraji showcased her prowess in the women's 60m hurdles, where she marginally surpassed her own national record with a blistering time of 8.12 seconds. The reigning Asian Outdoor champion dominated the race from start to finish, clinching the gold medal ahead of Japan's Asuka Tereda and Hong Kong's Lui Lai Yiu.
Bains' big win
In the women's 1500m event, long-distance sensation Harmilan Bains stamped her authority with a scintillating performance, crossing the finish line in 4:29.55 seconds to secure India's first gold of the day. Bains demonstrated sheer dominance on the track, leaving her nearest competitor, Kyrgyzstan's Kalil Kyzy Ainuska, trailing behind by over five seconds. Kazakhstan's Bolatbekkyzy Aiana claimed the bronze medal in the fiercely contested race.
Despite the remarkable achievements of Toor, Yarraji, and Bains, Indian athletes Shaili Singh and Nayana James narrowly missed out on podium finishes in the women's long jump event. Singh registered a distance of 6.27 meters, securing the fifth position, while James finished sixth with a jump of 6.23 meters. China's Shiqi Xiong and Tan Mengyi clinched the gold and silver medals respectively, with Hong Kong's Yue Nga Yan settling for bronze.
Last year, Toor had been the lone Indian athlete to claim gold at the championships in Astana, where India amassed a total of eight medals, including six silver and one bronze. This year's exceptional performance on the opening day sets a promising tone for India's campaign at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.
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