Daijiworld Media Network - Gumi

Gumi, May 29: India struck gold three times on a rain-delayed Day 3 at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, as Avinash Sable, Jyothi Yarraji, and the women’s 4x400m relay team delivered standout performances.

Avinash Sable opened the medal rush, winning the men’s 3000m steeplechase with a season-best 8:20.92. The 30-year-old surged ahead in the final lap, continuing his strong build-up to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.

Next, Jyothi Yarraji shattered a 26-year-old continental record in the women’s 100m hurdles. Clocking 12.96 seconds, she became the first Asian woman to break the 13-second barrier since 1998, earning her a deserved gold.

The women’s 4x400m relay team then ended a 12-year gold drought in style, anchored by Suba Venkatesan.

India also picked up silver medals in the men’s 4x400m relay and women’s long jump, where Ancy Sojan and Shaili Singh finished second and third, respectively. In the women's 10,000m, Sanjivani Jadhav and Seema placed fifth and sixth.

With three golds, India made a strong statement in Gumi, raising hopes for more medals in the remaining days.