Run. Jump. Keep your knee up.
It sounds simple. But hurdles races in track and field are among the most technically demanding events in the sport. And for India, there is a new star emerging in this explosive event: Jyothi Yarraji.
The 22-year-old from Vizag broke a 20-year-old Indian record in women’s 100m hurdles earlier this year. The mark belonged to Anuradha Biswal when she clocked 13.38 in New Delhi, August 2002. But once Jyothi broke it for the first time in May, she bettered her own personal best mark thrice.
“It was my Physical Education Teacher suggested to try hurdles,” Jyothi told Scroll.in in an interaction from her training centre in Odisha, before departing for UK. “I was in 10th class. I didn’t know what events were even there. But when I competed for the first time, I ran… I fell down… and I came back up and ran again. I liked it. I felt it suited me, my mind and body. I just liked it. Run. Jump. Run. Jump.”
It is a feature she has cultivated throughout her career. On more than occasion, she has had to face setbacks but she seems to find the answers to bounce back.
Jyothi, who trains at the Odisha Reliance Foundation (HPC)…
