By NRI Globe Staff | Published: June 8, 2025

Indian sprint hurdler Jyothi Yarraji has once again brought glory to the nation, winning the gold medal in the women’s 100m hurdles at the prestigious Taiwan Athletics Open 2025. Clocking a blazing 12.99 seconds, Yarraji stood tall on the podium, leading a remarkable day for India that saw six gold medals in total on the opening day in Taipei.

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A Dramatic Comeback for Gold

It wasn’t a perfect start for Yarraji. Coming out of the blocks, she found herself trailing in second place. But what followed was nothing short of spectacular. In the final 20 meters, she surged past her competition with explosive speed and precise technique. Her final time of 12.99 seconds made her the only athlete in the race to clock under 13 seconds.

She edged out Japan’s Asuka Terada, who finished second with 13.04 seconds, and Chisato Kiyoyama, who claimed bronze at 13.10 seconds. Yarraji’s finishing kick once again proved why she is one of Asia’s top hurdlers.

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Jyothi Yarraji: India’s Hurdles Queen

At just 25, Jyothi Yarraji has already cemented her place among India’s greatest track and field athletes. Hailing from Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, she is the reigning Asian champion and currently holds the national record in the 100m hurdles with a timing of 12.78 seconds, achieved at the 2023 World University Games.

Yarraji defended her title at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in South Korea with a record-setting time of 12.96 seconds, further solidifying her dominance in the continent.

Her journey hasn’t been easy. Raised in a humble household — her father a security guard and her mother a domestic help — Jyothi’s rise is a story of relentless determination. Even a controversial disqualification at the 2023 Asian Games didn’t break her spirit. Instead, it fueled her comeback.

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India’s Stellar Performance at Taiwan Athletics Open 2025

Yarraji’s victory was the crown jewel in an extraordinary day for Indian athletics. The nation secured six gold medals in total at this World Athletics Continental Bronze event.

Here are the other standout gold medalists from the event:

• Tejas Shirse: Gold in the men’s 110m hurdles with a season-best time of 13.52 seconds.
• Pooja: Gold in the women’s 1500m, clocking a meet record 4:11.65.
• Abdulla Aboobacker: Gold in men’s triple jump with a leap of 16.21 meters.
• Women’s 4x100m Relay Team: Sudheeksha V, Abhinaya Rajarajan, Sneha SS, and Nithya Gandhe set a championship record of 44.07 seconds.
• Men’s 4x100m Relay Team: Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain sealed gold with a solid 38.75 seconds.

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A Bright Future for Indian Athletics

Jyothi Yarraji’s gold medal is more than just a victory—it’s a sign of India’s growing strength in track and field. With the World Championships set for September 2025, her consistent sub-13-second performances make her a strong contender for a global medal.

She has proven she can go head-to-head with Asia’s best, including Japan’s Asuka Terada and China’s Wu Yanni. Her coach, James Hillier, believes she can lower her timings even further — potentially into the 12.60s — with focused training on her starts and hurdle execution.

Her success is a beacon for young athletes across India, showing that world-class results are possible with discipline, resilience, and the right guidance.

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Key Achievements of Jyothi Yarraji

• National Record: 12.78 seconds in women’s 100m hurdles (World University Games, 2023)
• Asian Athletics Championships: Gold in 2023 (13.09s) and 2025 (12.96s, championship record)
• Asian Games 2022: Silver medal in 100m hurdles
• National Games 2025: Gold in 100m hurdles with a meet record of 13.10s
• Taiwan Athletics Open 2025: Gold in 100m hurdles with 12.99s

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Follow Jyothi Yarraji’s Journey

Jyothi Yarraji’s inspiring rise reminds us that talent, when nurtured with hard work and determination, can overcome any obstacle. As India’s athletics stars continue to shine, Jyothi’s story is shaping up to be one of the most inspirational journeys in the country’s sporting history.

Stay tuned to NRI Globe for more stories that celebrate the achievements of Indian athletes on the global stage.