National Games 2025: Top 5 Athletes Eyeing Gold Medals As Track & Field Event Kicks Off February 8 in Dehradun

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Dehradun, Feb 7: Since this is the off-season for athletes, several top stars have opted out of the track and field event in the National Games 2025. Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra, Asian Games silver medalist Kishore Jena, 3000m steeplechase specialist Avinash Sable, long jump sensation Ancy Sojan, and national javelin record-holder Annu Rani, among others, are the top names missing from the roster.

However, the competition still promises thrilling performances, with several rising stars ready to shine. Adding to the excitement, athletes will have the opportunity to qualify for the Asian Championships and World Championships, making this event even more crucial and motivating for participants.

JYOTHI YARRAJI (100m Hurdles): Jyothi Yarraji is back from Paris, where she stormed to victory in the 60m hurdles at the Elite Indoor Meeting in Nantes, France, setting a new national record of 8.04 seconds. In an incredible feat, she rewrote her own record twice in a single day. Also Read: Track Patches and White Silica Sand in Long Jump Pit Raise Eyebrows Before Events

Now, as she gears up for her outdoor season opener at the National Games, all eyes are on her. Last season, she delivered four sub-13-second performances and secured her spot at the Paris Olympics. However, injuries held her back from reaching her absolute best.

Training at the Ganga Athletics Stadium, Jyothi is looking sharp and in rhythm. As the athletics events kick off tomorrow, she is determined to make a strong comeback this season.

SACHIN YADAV (JAVELIN THROW): He had a brilliant last season, setting a personal best of 82.69m at the Indian Grand Prix 1, where he clinched the gold medal. He followed it up with a second-place finish at the National Open Athletics Championships, registering a best throw of 79.80m.

However, his standout moment came at the All India Police Athletics Championships, where he unleashed a massive 84.21m throw. Unfortunately, since the competition isn't recognized by World Athletics, the mark didn't count officially.

Yadav first surpassed the 80m barrier in 2023 with an 80.27m throw at a meet in Ranchi. Now, with his sights set on qualifying for the World Championships, Sachin aims to kick off his season in style at the National Games in Uttarakhand.

TEJAS SHIRSE (110 HURDLES): If consistency had a face, it would be Tejas Shirse. While he narrowly missed qualifying for the Paris Olympics, his last season was nothing short of spectacular.

The Maharastra athlete etched his name in history by setting a new National Record in the men's 110m hurdles at the World Athletics Continental Tour (Challenger level) in Jyvaskyla, Finland. Tejas blazed through the final in 13.41 seconds, eclipsing Siddhanth Thingalaya's 2017 record of 13.48 seconds.

Carrying that momentum into 2025, Tejas kicked off his indoor season in electrifying fashion. At the Meeting de l'Eure in Val-de-Reuil, France, he equalled his own national record in the men's 60m hurdles, clocking 7.64 seconds. The 22-year-old Indian hurdler finished sixth but wrapped up his European indoor campaign on a high, reaffirming his place among India's finest.

VITHYA RAMRAJ (400M AND 400M HURDLES): Vithya Ramraj is relentlessly pursuing PT Usha's legendary National record, and while she equalled Usha's 55.42s (set at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics) at the 2023 Asian Games, her quest to break it continues. This season, Vithya is determined to shatter that long-standing record.

Her last competition, the National Open Athletics Championships, saw her clinch gold in the 400m hurdles with a time of 56.23 seconds. Last season, she also dominated the Indian Grand Prix 2, winning with 57.28 seconds.

An Asian Games double medalist and a member of India's 4×400m relay team for the Paris Olympics, Vithya is determined to rewrite history. Can Vithya Ramraj break PT Usha's long-standing National Games record?

KIRAN PAHAL (400M): Most of the big names in the women's 400m will be absent from the National Games, but all eyes will be on Kiran Pahal, India's fastest quarter-miler from last season, as she kicks off her campaign on the opening day at the Ganga Athletics Stadium in Uttarakhand.

Last season, Pahal stunned the athletics world by surpassing the Paris Olympics qualification mark (50.95s) at the Inter-State Athletics Championships, clocking an impressive 50.92s in the women's 400m semi-finals at Tau Devi Lal Stadium.

With this feat, she became the second-fastest Indian woman in the 400m, trailing only Hima Das, who holds the national record of 50.79s set at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta.