Inter-State Athletics 2026: Yarraji and Kujur Punch Asian Games Tickets as Sindhushree Breaks Pole Vault Record

Indian athletics turned its full attention to Bhubaneswar this week as the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships got under way, carrying added significance as the principal trials for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya. With selection at stake, the opening days produced a flurry of qualifying performances and at least one national record.

Yarraji and Kujur lead the qualifiers

Hurdles star Jyothi Yarraji set the tone by winning the women's 100m hurdles in 12.99 seconds, comfortably inside the Asian Games qualifying standard of 13.34s. Her commanding run reaffirmed her status as one of India's most bankable track medal prospects heading into the continental showpiece.

Sprinter Animesh Kujur made his own Asian Games cut by clinching gold in the men's 200m in 20.74 seconds, signalling the continued emergence of India's young sprinting talent. The performances underlined the depth of competition as athletes raced not just for titles but for places on the national team.

A national record falls

The standout field event came in the women's pole vault, where Sindhushree G cleared 4.25m to set a new national record, surpassing the previous mark of 4.23m. The record added a landmark moment to an event already buzzing with selection drama.

In the men's triple jump, Praveen Chithravel breached the Asian Games mark with a winning leap of 16.92m, clearing the qualifying standard of 16.28m, while Manpreet Kaur won the women's shot put with 17.75m to book her own continental berth.

Selection still in the AFI's hands

While clearing the qualifying marks is a crucial step, the Athletics Federation of India has reiterated that final selection of the Asian Games squad rests at its discretion, leaving room for form, fitness and tactical considerations in the weeks ahead.

• Jyothi Yarraji - 100m hurdles, 12.99s, Asian Games cut achieved
• Animesh Kujur - 200m gold, 20.74s, Asian Games qualification
• Sindhushree G - pole vault national record of 4.25m
• Praveen Chithravel - triple jump 16.92m, qualifying mark breached
• Manpreet Kaur - shot put 17.75m, Asian Games standard cleared

With the championships running through to 28 June in the Odisha capital, more qualifying battles lie ahead. The meet has already offered a vivid preview of the talent India will carry into Aichi-Nagoya, where the country will hope to convert trial-form into continental medals.

The NE Times View

Doubling the nationals as Asian Games trials sharpens the stakes and rewards athletes who peak on cue, which is exactly the temperament major championships demand. Yarraji, Kujur and Chithravel booking their places, plus a national pole vault record, point to encouraging depth across disciplines. The harder task is converting domestic qualifying marks into medals against continental rivals; that gap is where India's athletics ambitions will be truly judged.

This article is original commentary and analysis by The NE Times. Background facts were referenced from The Indian Express and PTI.