Asian Games silver medallist Yarraji targets gold after comeback from ACL injury
A year after suffering a career-threatening ACL injury, hurdler Jyothi Yarraji has returned to competition with renewed confidence and a clear goal — winning gold at the upcoming Asian Games. The national record holder marked her comeback by clinching the women’s 100m hurdles title at the National Inter-State Championships, clocking 12.99 seconds to breach the Athletics Federation of India’s qualifying standard.
The performance came exactly a year after the injury that forced her into surgery and a lengthy rehabilitation process, making the result all the more significant for the 26-year-old.
Yarraji won a silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games and remains one of India’s leading track athletes, holding the national record of 12.78 seconds in the women’s 100m hurdles.
“There were a lot of nights when I cried a lot. I suffered many injuries earlier also before the ACL tear. While sitting in my room, sometimes I asked myself, ‘Is it done? Is this journey over?’ These thoughts came into my mind,” Yarraji said after her victory as quoted by PTI.
“But I kept telling myself that it’s okay, Jyothi, you will do it and you will prove it. Exactly this day last year I got injured. A year later, on the same day, I came back to the track and showed up for myself. It means a lot to me. I am feeling comfortable and mentally I am 10 times better than before.”
The Andhra Pradesh athlete underwent ACL surgery in July last year after sustaining the injury during training. Recovery from the ligament tear required months of rehabilitation and a gradual return to competition. Although she has resumed training, Yarraji revealed that she has only recently begun hurdle sessions and is still working towards full fitness.
YARRAJI EYES ASIAN GAMES GOLD
Despite winning on her return, Yarraji admitted she is not yet at her physical peak and believes there is significant room for improvement before the Asian Games, which are roughly three months away.
“I was expecting a better timing, maybe around 12.6 seconds, but coming back after one year and running sub-13, I could not have asked for more. I have built myself step by step,” she said.
“There are three months to the Asian Games. This is my first race, so I am not very good in fitness. I will make my health my priority, take care of my knee, do more rehabilitation, and I want to win gold there. It is not my full 100 per cent yet, but I have time to improve.”
Yarraji credited her support system for helping her return to competition, thanking coach James Hillier, South African strength and conditioning coach Wayne Lombard, the Athletics Federation of India, and the Reliance Foundation for standing by her throughout the recovery process.
She said Lombard’s work during the final stages of rehabilitation played a crucial role in her comeback, while Hillier’s encouragement helped her stay motivated during difficult periods. With her confidence returning and fitness steadily improving, Yarraji now hopes to convert the Asian Games silver she won in Hangzhou into gold at the next edition.
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