Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024: Jyothi Yarraji Rewrites 60m Hurdles National Record; Harmilan Bains Wins India's First Gold In Tehran

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Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024 was off to a great start for India on Day 1 as Harmilan Bains and Jyothi Yarraji opened India's medal tally with individual gold medals in the morning session in Tehran on Saturday (February 17).

Jyothi Yarraji clocked her new personal best, subsequently a new national record, in the women's 60m hurdles as she clocked 8.12 seconds to clinch the gold medal while starting on lane 4.

Her previous personal best was 8.13 seconds, which came at the last edition of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships in Astana. Harmilan Bains was the first to open India's account as she clocked 4:29.55 seconds in the women's 1500m final.

With the two gold medals, India have already surpassed their gold medal tally from last year, when Tajinderpal Singh Toor won the sole gold medal in Astana. India won eight medals in total in that campaign, including six silver medals.

The other two Indians in the fray in the long jump final of the all-women morning session saw Shaili Singh (6.27 metre) and Nayana James (6.23m) finish outside medal positions at fifth and sixth respectively. Shiqi Xiong clinched the gold medal of her final attempt as she leapt a 6.55m.

Her compatriot Tan Mengyi settled for the silver medal with an attempt of 6.50m. Hong Kong Yue Nga Yan took the bronze medal with an attempt of 6.35m, which came off her final attempt as well.

India are expecting further medals in the evening session (men) with the reigning Asian Champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor competing in the men's shot put final. Apart from him, Ashok Kumar Saroj (1500m final) and youngster Tejas Shirse (60m hurdles heat) will also compete for medals. The evening session starts at 6:30 PM IST with Reliance athlete Tejas in action.

In total, a 15-member Indian contingent will compete at the three-day event Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024.

Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2024 Day 1 Evening schedule (men's only)
Men's 60m hurdles heat: Tejas Shirse - 6:30 PM
Men's Shot put final: Tajinderpal Singh Toor & Dhanvir - 6:50 PM
Men's 1500m final: Ajay Kumar Saroj - 7 PM
Men's 60m final: (If qualified) - 8 PM