Rohit secures qualification for Asian Games with impressive throw.

In a thrilling conclusion to the National Inter-State Athletics Meet held at Kalinga Stadium, javelin thrower Rohit Yadav and long-jumper M. Sreeshankar showcased their exceptional talents, securing their spots for the upcoming Asian Games. Yadav delivered a remarkable performance, setting a new meet record with a final throw of 87.05 meters, surpassing the previous record of 84.35 meters held by Manu D.P. for four years.

Yadav, who had previously achieved a personal best of 83.76 meters in Ludhiana earlier this month, demonstrated impressive consistency throughout the competition. He recorded four throws ranging from 77 to 80 meters before unleashing his record-breaking throw. This achievement not only marked a personal milestone for Yadav but also positioned him as the second-best thrower in the world this season, trailing only Sri Lankan athlete Rumesh Pathirage, who threw 92.62 meters. “I’ve been consistently throwing over 85 meters in training, and I just focused on replicating that in my final attempt,” Yadav remarked after his impressive performance.

Meanwhile, M. Sreeshankar from Kerala also made headlines with his outstanding long jump. He achieved a season-best jump of 8.38 meters, just three centimeters shy of his personal best and the meet record he set three years ago. Sreeshankar's performance was characterized by remarkable consistency, as he recorded five consecutive jumps exceeding 8 meters. His training partner, Shahnavaz Khan, provided a competitive edge, pushing Sreeshankar to excel. “The humidity was challenging, but it felt like a training session with Shahnavaz. The strong performances from Indian jumpers are encouraging,” Sreeshankar stated, reflecting on his successful day.

The meet concluded with Uttar Pradesh and Haryana clinching the men’s and women’s team championships, respectively, while Tamil Nadu emerged as the overall champion with a total of 138 points. In addition to Yadav and Sreeshankar's achievements, several other athletes also met the Asian Games qualifying marks across various events. Notable results included Vishal T.K. from Tamil Nadu winning the men’s 400 meters with a time of 45.43 seconds and Prachi from Uttar Pradesh taking the women’s 400 meters in 53.24 seconds. The event showcased the depth of talent in Indian athletics, setting the stage for a competitive Asian Games ahead.