Rohit Yadav's Personal Best Ignites World Championships Hopes

Image Credit: X(Twitter)

Uttar Pradesh's javelin sensation Rohit Yadav set a career high during the National Inter State Athletics Championships in Chennai on August 24 with an 83.65m throw, the new personal best and winning the men's javelin gold. While short of the automatic World Championships qualifying standard of 85.50m, it puts him in serious contention for a place through the World Athletics ranking quota.

Standing atop the podium for the first time since the qualification series of the 2023 Budapest World Championships, the 24-year-old showed technical excellence and mental stamina. "I was in perfect rhythm today," Yadav asserted. "All the phases, run up, transition, release clicked well on my third attempt. Now my goal is to achieve one of the 36 ranking spots for Tokyo.".

Close on his heels was compatriot Sachin Yadav, also of Uttar Pradesh, who threw 83.20m for silver, reflecting the improving javelin talent of the state. Shivam Lohakare of Maharashtra picked up the bronze with a throw of 80.20m. With Neeraj Chopra already slated to receive a wild card entry as reigning world champion, India will have a powerful quartet representing them at the World Championships in Tokyo if Rohit and Sachin achieve ranking spots on or before the August 27 deadline.

Rohit's journey started from Sitapur's dusty fields, where he initially threw rough and ready spears as a 10 year old. Discovered by state coaches, he was inducted at the Uttar Pradesh Sports Academy in Lucknow, where he has been consistently improving under coach Radmehr Themistocles's guidance. His technique characterized by a powerful yet controlled run up and a smooth block in the penultimate phase is dramatically better over the last year.

While the auto mark eluded him, pundits note that his world ranking has surged into the mid 30s, well within the 36 strong Tokyo quota short of last minute switching. Yadav is waiting for the final rankings release on August 27 and hopes to get selected by the Athletics Federation of India in their meeting on August 28.

In this career best, Rohit Yadav has formally established himself as one of the globe's best javelin throwers, one well positioned to confront world challengers when action resumes at the World Championships next month.