Bangkok: Reliance Foundation’s Jyothi Yarraji scripted history in style at the Asian Athletics Championships by becoming the 1st Indian ever to win gold in the 100m hurdles event at the continental championships in Bangkok, Thailand on Thursday.

In wet and slippery conditions due to heavy rain, Jyothi clocked a time of 13.09s in the final to finish on top in a strong field. Japan’s Asuka Terada (13.13s) and Masumi Aoki (13.26s) won silver and bronze respectively.

 In 22 previous editions of the tournament, the only Indians to medal in the 100m hurdles event were Anuradha Biswal (bronze in 2000) and Jayapal Hemasree (bronze in 2013).

Jyothi was the fastest in the heats too, clocking a timing of 12.98s to top Heat 1 and advance to the final. She fell just short of eclipsing the meet record, which stands at 12.97s.

The only Indian woman in history to run a time below 13s in this event, Jyothi pipped her Japanese opponents in a photo finish. She had come into the competition as the favourite, having been the fastest woman in Asia this year.

Her recent form has also been sublime. She was named the Best Female Athlete at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, where she won two Golds and one silver.

Congratulating her on the achievement, Mrs. Nita M. Ambani, Founder Chairperson, Reliance Foundation, said, “Heartiest congratulations to our Reliance Foundation athlete Jyothi Yarraji on becoming the first Indian ever to win gold in the 100m hurdles at the ongoing Asian Athletics Championships today. You have shown the power of grit and determination coupled with an extremely high degree of skill and finesse. You have made the country proud and stand tall as an inspiration to all aspiring athletes and young girls who dream of making it big in sports. We, at Reliance Foundation, are immensely proud of Jyothi’s achievement and reiterate our commitment to enthuse our youth to take up sports and follow their passion. Here’s wishing our Indian contingent and our Reliance Foundation athletes at the games more success and more record-breaking events. May you continue to aspire and inspire!”

Speaking after the final, Jyothi Yarraji said she was pleased to qualify for the World Championships. “I am happy with the consistency I have been showing in my races recently. I was expecting competition from the Japanese sprinters, but did not go in thinking much about medals, rather my focus was on running a good time. Being consistent with clocking sub-13s timings, I am confident now about achieving my goals of consistently clocking sub 12.9, 12.8 and 12.7s timings in the near future.”

She will next be in action in the 200m event at the Asian Athletics Championships.

Earlier in the competition, Reliance Foundation’s Gulveer Singh had finished fifth in the 10000m event on the opening day of the competition after finishing with a time of 29:53.69s. He will also be in action in the 5000m event later at the Championships. DeshGujarat