Athletics: Harmilan Bains & Ajay Kumar secure silver, Jinson Johnson claims bronze at Asian Games 2023

The trio continued India's success in athletic at the continental meet.

In a remarkable display of talent and determination, India added to its medal haul at the Hangzhou Asian Games 2023 with a stellar performance in the track and field events. The country's athletes showcased their prowess in the 1500m races, with Harmilan Bains winning silver and Jinson Johnson and Ajay Kumar securing bronze.

Harmilan Bains, a rising star in Indian athletics, made her mark by clinching the silver medal in the women's 1500m event. She displayed outstanding stamina and determination, crossing the finish line with a timing of 4 minutes and 12.74 seconds. Harmilan's impressive performance not only earned her a coveted silver medal but also showcased her potential to excel on the international stage.

The men's 1500m race witnessed a stellar display of talent from India, with Ajay Kumar and Jinson Johnson Saroj clinching the silver and bronze medals respectively. Jinson Johnson showcased his remarkable middle-distance running skills, finishing the race with a time of 3 minutes and 39.74 seconds. Ajay Kumar Saroj followed closely, securing the bronze medal with a timing of 3 minutes and 38.94 seconds. Their achievements underlined their dedication and commitment to the sport.

Athletic excellence runs in family

Harmilan Bains' remarkable feat in the women's 1500m is not just a personal triumph but also a continuation of her family's legacy in athletics. Her father, Amandeep Bains, is a South Asian Games medalist in the 1500m event, while her mother, Madhuri Saxena, secured a silver medal in the 800m at the 2002 Asian Games. Harmilan's success further cements her family's status as stalwarts in Indian athletics.

Jinson Johnson's remarkable journey

Jinson Johnson, who is the national record holder in both the 800m and 1500m events, has been a consistent performer on the global stage. His silver in the 1500m at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Games and gold in the 800m in the same event marked him as one of India's finest athletes. Despite facing setbacks, including a calf injury and an Achilles tendon rupture, Johnson has continued to strive for excellence.

In 2018, he broke the 42-year-old national record in the 800m, a testament to his extraordinary talent. Moreover, during the ISTAF Berlin event in 2019, he shaved nearly 2.5 seconds off his own 1500m record, setting an impressive time of 3 minutes and 35.24 seconds. This achievement establishes him as one of Asia's top middle-distance runners.

A mark of excellence

To put Jinson Johnson's achievements into perspective, his national record time of 3:35:24 is almost three seconds faster than the leading mark in Asia for the 2023 season. His dedication and commitment to overcoming obstacles make him a symbol of excellence in Indian athletics.

As India continues to shine at the Hangzhou Asian Games, Harmilan Bains, Jinson Johnson and Ajay Kumar Saroj's performances in the 1500m races have added to the nation's pride.