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Indian Express
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Hockey player turned-800m and 1500m runner Pooja hopes to max benefits of her impressive stride length
Twenty two-year-old middle distance runner Pooja is on a constant rise in 2025 winning four international medals in her first two international tournaments. The runner from Fatehabad, Haryana who features in 800m and 1500m won bronze medal in the 800m at Asian Athletics Championships last month clocking her personal best and silver in 1500m. She topped it with gold in both events at Taiwan Open Athletics. However, the youngster didn't start with Athletics as her first choice sport back in teenage. In 2017, 15-year-old Pooja stepped in the SAI Training Center, Badal (Punjab) after successfully clearing the hockey trials for the residential program run by the center. 'I started as a hockey player at the SAI Center. But one of the coaches of running, Saurabh sir spotted me and asked me turn to Athletics. Once I started running, I never looked back,' Pooja told The Indian Express. 'It was an interesting scenario of how she took up running. During her early days, the hockey coaches were absent for some days and I was asked to train them in basic drills. I took the kids for running and saw Pooja's perfect rhythm while running. After seeing her run, I asked her to take Athletics and she readily agreed,' Pooja's coach Saurabh Yadav recalled how she transitioned to athletics. After Pooja picked up athletics, she started with 2000m in the U-16 category and later switched to 800m and 1500m when she entered the U-18 category. 'I started from the very grassroots level. In 2019, I participated in the Asian U18 championships winning silver medal. I wasn't that mature at the junior level but the motivation to represent India kept me going,' said Pooja. While her performances at the junior level caught everyone's eyes, coach Saurabh believes that her adaptability makes her a very good potential in the middle distance running. 'We saw the potential in early days. Pooja's stride length and rhythm while running makes her a very good middle distance runner. Her stride length is accurate when it comes to running efficiently. Another good thing is that she can change pace according to the needs of the race,' said Saurabh, who has been training Pooja since start of her career. Pooja has benefited from the stiff competition at the national level in 800m and 1500m with the likes of Harmilan Bains, KM Deeksha, Chanda, and Lily Das constantly outperforming each other. 'We have a good competition at the National level. I have been running for more than four years in the senior circuit and the competition here prepared me for the international tournaments. So, when I took the field at Asian Athletics in Korea, I wasn't thinking of anything. Since, I have faced tough competition back at home, my only focus was to run with all my strength,' she explained. Pooja did her personal best in 800m when she clocked 2:01.89 to win bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships and her season best in 1500m is 4:10.83 which she clocked in the same event. However, coach Saurabh is not happy with her performance in 1500m and believes that she can easily improve in the discipline. 'She has done well in 800m at the continental level but she hasn't shown her full potential in the 1500m event. Her personal best last came in 2023 National Inter-State Athletics (4:09.52) but she has been hovering around the same mark.' When Pooja was asked how she feels about her performance, she said,' It was my first international trip and I was not thinking about the results much but the timings came out to be good and I am happy that I came back home with multiple medals.' With experience of international tournaments under her belt, she wants to compete in more international tournaments and that is the plan for the season ahead. 'It is important for her to play more and more international competitions as it would lead to more improvement in her timings. The only reason she did her personal best in 800m was because of the strong competition in the race. One good thing in international competitions is that there are pace setters in almost every race and it helps the athlete. You just have to follow the race and execute your strategy of acceleration,' said Saurabh. 'I want to keep my mind free of any kind of stress and just run in the international tournaments. For me the target is to improve my timings this year,' concluded Pooja Key Results in 2025: 800m 2:01.89- Asian Athletics Championships, Korea- Bronze medal 2:02.78- Taiwan Athletics Open, Gold medal 1500m 4:10.83- Asian Athletics Championships, Korea, Silver medal 4:11.63- Taiwan Athletics Open, Gold medal
Indian Express
07-06-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
Taiwan Open athletics: Men's 4x100m relay team gets it right after their DQ at Asian C'ships; Jyothi goes sub-13 once again
The men's 4*100 m relay team made up for the botched baton exchange at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in May, clocking 38.75s to win the gold medal at the Taiwan Open Athletics on Saturday as the Indian athletes had a successful day at the competition, winning six gold medals. The quartet of Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain were the favourites from the start, and they didn't disappoint, clocking the second-fastest time of the year as a team. Their best time is the current national record 38.69s, clocked earlier in April this year. At the Asian Athletics last month in Korea, the Indian team was disqualified in the heats despite clocking the best time. Pranav Gurav and Ragul Kumar – two alternate athletes in the relay contingent – fluffed the baton transfer in the heats of the tournament as they exchanged it outside the takeover zone, leading to India's immediate disqualification. In today's race, the Indian team began well with Gurindervir giving a solid start which was continued by Animesh who ran a good second leg. In the third leg, Manikanta took the lead and Animesh continued it cross the finish line and led India to the gold medal. Young sprinter Abinaya Rajarajan starred in the women's 4*100m relay race as her stunning run in the third leg powered India to another gold. The quartet of Sudeeksha Vadluri, Sneha SS, Abinaya, and Nithya Gandhe clocked 44.07 in the event. At the Asian Athletics, the same team had won a silver medal with 43.86s. Hurdler Jyothi Yarraji continued her gold medal-winning form as she clocked 12.99s in women's 100m hurdles to run her second sub-13 race of the year. After qualifying with a timing of 13.18s in the heats, Jyothi faced tough competition from Japanese hurdlers Chisato Kiyoyama and Asuka Terada. In the final, Chisato and Asuka had a brilliant start as Jyothi trailed them in the first 60m. However, a push from Jyothi in the last few meters saw her leave both Japanese hurdles behind to win her second gold in 15 days. In the men's 110m hurdles, Tejas Shirse won the gold medal clocking his season best timing of 13:52s. Earlier he had clocked 13:62s in the heats to book his final berth. The 22-year-old Pooja decimated the field in the women's 1500m to win the gold medal with a timing of 4:11.63. When Pooja crossed the finish line her closest competitor Su Gyon Jon of North Korea was not even in the camera frame. Pooja has been on a rise this year as she won two medals at the Asian Athletics last month. She won a silver in the women's 1500m clocking 4:10.83 and clocked a personal best in 800m to win the bronze medal with a timing of 2:00.42. She can add one more medal to her tally when she participates in the 800m tomorrow. Experienced triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker was the sixth gold medalist for India as he jumped a modest 16.21m. Despite crossing the 16m mark just one time, Aboobacker won the gold as the other athletes failed to cross the 16m mark even once. The Indians in action on Sunday are Annu Rani (Javelin Throw), Shaili Singh, Ancy Sojan (Long Jump), Pooja (800m), Rohit Yadav (Javelin Throw), Yashas Palaksha (400m hurdles), and the men's 4*400m relay team. KEY INDIAN RESULTS ON SATURDAY: 4*100m relay: India 38.75, Chinese Taipei A 39.11, Chinese Taipei B 39.75 110m hurdles: Tejas Shirse (India) 13:52, Yuan Kai Hsieh (Chinese Taipei) 13:72, Chen Kui-ru 13:75 Triple Jump: Abdulla Aboobacker (India) 16:21m, Yun Chen Li (Chinese Taipei) 15.92m, Zheng Jia Zhou (Chinese Taipei) 15.59m 4*100m relay: India 44.07, Vietnam 44.38, Chinese Taipei 44.53 100m hurdles: Jyothi Yarraji (India) 12.99, Asuka Terada (Japan) 13.04, Chiasato Kiyoyama (Japan) 13.10 1500m: Pooja (India) 4:11.63, Su Gyon Jon (North Korea) 4:28.03, Hiu Tung Tsang (Hong Kong) 4:34.92
The Hindu
07-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Taiwan Athletics Open 2025: Pooja, Aboobacker, Yarraji, Shirse, relay teams win gold
Indian athletes claimed six gold medals in the opening day of the Taiwan Open on Saturday. Pooja opened the account for India by clinching gold in the women's 1500m event. She clocked 4:11.65 to grab the top spot on the podium. Last month, she won silver in the same event at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, with a time of 4:10.83. The 22-year-old had also won bronze in the 800m race in the competition. Pooja (left) celebrates after winning silver in women's 1500m at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea | Photo Credit: Asian Athletics India won its second gold of the event through Abdulla Aboobacker, who claimed top spot in men's triple jump, with a leap of 16.21m from his third attempt. India added two more gold medals from the sprint hurdles. Jyoti Yarraji won the women's 100m hurdles event with a timing of 12.99s. The Indian hurdler relied on a desperate final push to claim a win, after going into the final hurdle trailing at second. ALSO READ | Taiwan Athletics Open 2025: Indians in action, events, schedule, live streaming info Tejas Shirse made it a double by winning gold in the men's 110m hurdles race, with a Season's Best timing of 13.52s. He was in control for most of the race and could have gotten to his own National Record (13.41s), if not for a few miscued hurdle clearances. The women's 4x100m relay team comprising Sudheeksha V, Abhinaya Rajarajan, Sneha SS, and Nithya Gandhe finished comfortably ahead of second-placed Vietnam in 44.07 seconds (championship record). The men's team - Gurindervir Singh, Animeesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain - registered a 38.75-second finish. Not only did they win the gold, but this was also their second-best performance this year. Related Topics Athletics / Taiwan Open
The Hindu
05-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
Asian Championships 2025 Review: Future looks bright for Indian athletes after stellar show in Gumi
Javelin thrower Sachin Yadav may have won silver on his international debut, but for coach Naval Singh, the real highlight wasn't the medal — it was the expression on gold medallist Arshad Nadeem's face. 'Arshad came to Gumi saying he was targeting the 100m mark. Around 2,000 Pakistani nationals had come to cheer for him. Everyone thought he was going to win easily. But by the end, they were all worried — even Arshad. I was watching from the stands, and uske chehre se pata lag raha tha ki usko kuch samajh nahi aa raha tha (from his face you could tell he didn't know what was going on),' he says. As the reigning Olympic javelin champion, Arshad had swaggered into Gumi expecting to coast to the title, only to end up trailing Sachin for the first three throws of the competition. He eventually pulled ahead on his fourth attempt, eking out a fairly narrow win with a throw of 86.40m. Sachin threw 85.16m — a new personal best. While the Indian's performance may have fallen just short of pulling off a monumental upset, the fact that he showed no fear on the biggest stage of his career bodes well for the future. Sachin Yadav gave Olympic gold medallist Arshad Nadeem quite a scare in the javelin throw event. | Photo Credit: Asian Athletics Sachin admits as much: 'Initially, my body was a little tight, but after a couple of throws, I was confident I could get the throw I wanted. It doesn't matter who I'm competing with — the only thing I think about is doing my best.' With 24 medals overall — eight gold, 10 silver, and six bronze — India returned with its best-ever haul at an Asian Athletics Championships held overseas. But beyond the numbers, it's the composure and maturity shown by the country's next generation of athletes that stands out as perhaps the most significant takeaway. Sachin wasn't the only first-time Asian Championship competitor to step up on the big stage. On the final day of the competition, 21-year-old Animesh Kujur shattered his own national record by 0.18 seconds, clocking 20.32 to win bronze in the men's 200m — becoming only the second Indian in 52 years to medal in the event at the Asian Championships. Later that evening, 23-year-old middle-distance runner Pooja ran the seventh-fastest time by an Indian woman in the 800m, clocking 2:01.89 to take bronze. The previous day, however, would see another Pooja deliver one of the all-time great performances by a young Indian athlete. Although she was taking part in her second Asian Athletics Championships, this was her first as a senior (she had previously competed as a 16-year-old at the 2023 edition in Bangkok). Animesh Kujur shattered his own national record by 0.18 seconds, clocking 20.32 to win bronze in the men's 200m. | Photo Credit: Asian Athletics At least on paper, she shouldn't have stood a chance. Having turned 18 just a few weeks ago, Pooja was the second youngest in the women's high jump in Gumi. Five other competitors, including an Olympic finalist, had jumped higher than her in their careers. Pooja, however, defied the odds, setting two personal bests — 1.86m and 1.89m — to stun a strong field. The result not only crowned her as the youngest Asian champion from India, but also opened the door to the World Championships in Japan later this year, where — as the continental titleholder — she holds a provisional qualification. It remains to be seen whether the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) will submit her entry for the Worlds. Speaking to reporters after the tournament, AFI president Adille Sumariwalla didn't announce any change to the federation's policy of allowing only athletes who meet the World Championships' automatic qualification standard to compete in Japan. 'We want some athletes to be preparing for the big competitions of next year like the Asian Games,' he said in response to a question from Sportstar. At 1.97m, the qualification standard in the women's high jump might prove a leap too far for Pooja. However, some athletes — if their performances at the Asian Championships are any indication — could well meet the World standards too. Eighteen-year-old Pooja became the youngest Asian champion from India in high jump, setting two personal bests along the way. | Photo Credit: Asian Athletics Parul Chaudhary won twin silvers in the women's 5000m and 3000m steeplechase, but it was her national record in the latter (9:12.46) that will have followers of Indian athletics eager for more. Although Parul had already qualified for the World Championships at the Doha Diamond League last month, her new time ranks her seventh fastest in the world this season. Jyothi Yarraji clocked her fastest time of the season — 12.96 — to clinch a second consecutive Asian gold. | Photo Credit: Asian Athletics Jyothi Yarraji shrugged off a lengthy rain delay to win a second consecutive Asian gold in the women's 100m hurdles with her fastest time (12.96) of the season. Given the conditions — and the fact that her preparation was hampered by a hamstring strain a few weeks earlier — Jyothi's coaches believe she isn't far off the World Championships standard of 12.73. Distance runner Avinash Sable also fell short of the World qualification standard of 8:15.00 in the men's 3000m steeplechase, but the time he managed (8:20.92) — as he cruised towards the finish line, even slowing down to acknowledge the applause on the final straight — suggests there's more to come. Gulveer Singh completed a golden double in the 5000m and 10,000m. | Photo Credit: Asian Athletics For Sable, it seemed the title of Asian champion mattered more than the time. Gold medals were also won by the Indian teams in the women's 4x400m relay and the 4x400m mixed relay — despite both falling short of national records. Gulveer Singh, who completed a golden double in the 5000m and 10,000m, also fell short of his national records in both events, but made his priorities clear. 'Timings are important, but it's more important to win the gold medal,' says Gulveer. Sachin might feel the same. While pleased to have come so close to Arshad in his international debut, he is already thinking about building on the performance. 'This was my first competition. I'll get better next time,' he said. Related Topics Asian Athletics Championships
Express Tribune
01-06-2025
- Sport
- Express Tribune
Arshad Nadeem credits parents' and nation's prayers after historic gold win
Listen to article Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem ended a 52-year gold medal drought for Pakistan at the Asian Athletics Championships, crediting his victory to the prayers of his parents and the nation. Nadeem clinched the gold in the javelin throw event at the championships held in South Korea, finishing ahead of India's Sachin, who took silver. Japan's Yuta Sakiyama secured the bronze with a throw of 83.75 metres, while Sri Lanka's Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage finished fourth with 83.27 metres. Pakistan's other participant, Muhammad Yasir, placed eighth with a best throw of 75.39 metres. 'Winning this medal is a great honour,' Nadeem said in a message shared on social media. Read: India blocks Olympian Arshad Nadeem's Instagram He added that the success was a blessing from Allah and a result of the nation's prayers. Nadeem also acknowledged the efforts of his coach, Salman Butt, describing the medal as a product of their joint hard work. This victory marked his first international win since competing in the Paris Olympics 2024. He is expected to land in Lahore on Sunday night at 10.20 pm. The victory has brought Pakistan global recognition and respect on the international stage. Nadeem's win was lauded by President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. Pakistan last won gold at the Asian Athletics Championships in 1973, when Allah Daad secured the javelin throw title and Muhammad Younis won gold in the 800-metre race. Read More: Arshad Nadeem determined to win gold at Asian Athletics Championship In his message, Zardari said that the entire nation was proud of Arshad Nadeem's outstanding performance. Simirlarly, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that Arshad Nadeem continues to make the nation proud. He added that Arshad Nadeem's hard work, dedication, and remarkable success serve as an inspiring example for young athletes. Last year in August Nadeem made history by winning the gold medal in the men's javelin final at the Paris Olympics, setting a new Olympic record with a throw of 92.97 metres. Previously, Nadeem was named the Best Asian Athlete by Asian Athletics, which recognized his remarkable achievements on the continental stage. Nadeem will head to England after this championship to begin preparations for the World Athletics Championships in September.
