Jyothi Yarraji Equals 100m Hurdles National Record, Narrowly Misses Olympic Qualification

Jyothi Yarraji’s relentless pursuit of excellence continues to amaze the athletics world. Despite being the only Indian woman to clock a sub-13 second timing in the 100m hurdles, the 24-year-old from Andhra Pradesh believes there’s still plenty of room for improvement.

A Stellar Performance in Finland

At the Monet Grand Prix in Finland, Jyothi equaled her own national record with a remarkable time of 12.78 seconds. This achievement came despite almost tripping on the final hurdle. However, she narrowly missed direct Olympic qualification by just 0.1 seconds. Although she was disappointed with her finish, her chances of making it to the Paris Olympics remain high. She can still qualify through upcoming races or via the world rankings quota.

“It was a really disappointing race for me,” Jyothi admitted. It’s a sentiment not often heard from athletes who achieve national record timings, highlighting her exceptional standards and drive.

Embracing Change for Improvement

Jyothi’s recent training in Europe, under coach James Hillier, has been pivotal. Based in Tenerife, Spain, she underwent a three-week intensive session focusing on her starts. This season, she made a significant change in her technique: transitioning from an eight-stride to a seven-stride approach to the first hurdle. This adjustment required her to take off from the blocks on her right leg instead of her left, her traditionally weaker leg.

“The change is tough,” Jyothi admitted. “It’s like asking someone who has used their right hand all their life to suddenly switch to their left. It’s a habit that’s hard to break, but it’s already helping me on hurdles three and four.”

Overcoming Challenges

Coach Hillier praised Jyothi’s resilience and progress. He noted that she could have easily clocked 12.60 seconds had she not hit the final hurdle. Despite the setback, Jyothi emerged unscathed, demonstrating her strength and determination.

“She hit the final hurdle hard and almost stopped but somehow stayed on her feet. We are happy that she didn’t get injured,” Hillier remarked.

Adapting to European Training

While Jyothi has adapted well to the training environment in Europe, she faces challenges, particularly with the local cuisine.

“It’s so difficult,” she said, expressing her longing for home-cooked food. “I really miss home food, and it is so tough for me. We manage to cook something, but this is also a learning experience. This is the most difficult part for me,” she added, revealing her love for biryani.

Looking Ahead

As Jyothi continues her training and competition stint in Europe, both she and Hillier believe it’s only a matter of time before she breaks her national record again. Her dedication, coupled with strategic changes in her technique, positions her well for future successes and the upcoming Olympic qualification.

Stay tuned as Jyothi Yarraji pushes the boundaries of her potential and strives for excellence on the road to Paris 2024.