Javelin Thrower Annu Rani Eyes Strong Comeback in 2025 Season

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Current Asian champion Annu Rani is set to kick off her season at the Federation Cup in April, which will also serve as a qualifier for the Asian Athletics Championships. The 32-year-old javelin thrower opted out of the National Games in Uttarakhand, citing it as her off-season.

"I'll begin my season in April. My coach and I will focus on workouts and throwing sessions, covering all aspects of my training. After meeting with my coach, we will decide on the best way to move forward," Annu Rani told myKhel exclusively.

Three weeks ago, two-time Olympic medalist and 2003 World Championship bronze medalist Sergey Makarov was appointed as the new foreign javelin throw coach for the Indian national team. His first assignment was the National Games in Uttarakhand, where his trainees-Rohit Yadav, Shivpal Singh, and Parmod-competed. Rohit Yadav finished second with a best throw of 80.47m.

Commenting on training under Makarov, Annu said, "He has just arrived, and we've only worked together for a few days. It's too early to judge his coaching style. It will take some time to understand his technical approach fully. So far, his training methods seem quite good, and with time, we'll get a clearer picture."

Last season was challenging for the Meerut-based thrower. She began the season with an impressive 60.68m throw at the Hylo Javelin Meeting but struggled to maintain form throughout the year, failing to breach the 60m mark again.

She did not qualify for the Paris Olympics final, finishing 15th in the qualification round with a best throw of 55.81m. However, she bounced back with a gold medal at the National Open Athletics Championships, recording a throw of 58.97m.

Reflecting on her struggles, Annu explained, "Everything has a process. There were no shortcomings in my training, but I faced visa issues, frequent travel, and injuries. All these factors contributed to my inconsistent season."

Looking back at her stellar 2022 season, Annu acknowledged injuries and a mid-season coaching change as setbacks. "An ankle and knee injury hampered my form. Additionally, my coach left midway, which disrupted my technique. Adapting to a new coach takes time, but I remain optimistic about the future."

With the Asian and World Championships ahead, Annu is determined to achieve new milestones. "After winning medals in the Asian and Commonwealth Games, my focus is now on the World Championship. I want to win a medal for my country."