Federation Cup Athletics 2023: Top five athletes to watch out for

Manu DP and Annu Rani will spearhead the Javelin throw in the men's and women's section

The Federation Cup Senior Athletics Championships 2023 is set to be held from 15 to 18 May in Ranchi, Jharkhand. The four-day tournament will see some of the best athletes from India compete for national supremacy. The event will host different athletic disciplines ranging from sprinting to long jumps to pole vaults to steeplechase among others.

With a multitude of athletes from all over India participating, this will definitely be an event to watch out for. However, out of all these talented bunch of stars, there will be a few who will get a special mention. These athletes are coming to the tournament with great momentum and expectations. So without further ado let's dive in and find out about these performers who have a great chance of hitting the jackpot at the event.

5. Jyothi Yarraji (100m Hurdles)

Jyothi Yarraji has made a literal career out of jumping over obstacles. Well if you haven't figured it out she is a standout hurdler from the subcontinent. Hailing from Vishakapatnam, Andhra Pradesh Jyothi is the national record holder with a timing of 12.82 seconds, set at the National Open Athletics Championships 2022 held in October.

In fact, since then she has broken that record multiple times. Jyoti, 23, has represented India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in the 100m hurdles. Moreover, she was also a part of the Indian women's 4x100 metres relay team that came 5th in the finals.

Apart from that she also won gold in both the 100 metres and 100 metres hurdles at the 2022 edition of the Indian National Games.

4. Jinson Johnson (Men's 8000m & 1500m)

Jinson Johnson holds the unique distinction of holding two national records in his name. He holds the 800m record clocking 1:45.65 at the National Inter-State Championship in Guwahati, 2018. Along with that, he is also the current national record holder in 1500m with a timing of 3:35.24 which he set at the ISTAF Berlin meet in 2019.

The Indian Army serviceman is also a proud gold medalist at the 2018 Asian Games in the 1500m event. He also holds a silver at the same event this time in the 800m discipline. As such it goes without saying that he is bound to produce something extraordinary at Ranchi. Jinson, 32, returned back from injury this year and participated at the Indian Grand Prix, Trivandrum. The Federation Cup will be Keralite's second event of the season.

3. DP Manu (Javelin)

DP Manu is creating a niche of his own. The javelin thrower has given the fans hope with his consistent performances over the years, more so in the past couple of years. In fact, his last performance in Bengaluru at the Indian Grand Prix saw him make a throw of 84.33 m (second-best overall).

This was just a little below (0.02m) his all-time best performance in Chennai at the National Inter-State Senior Athletic Championships last year in June. Coincidentally both times he finished with a total score of 1163 points. Ultimately he became the National Open Athletics Champion in 2022.

With the popularity of javelin increasing in India day by day, thanks to a certain Neeraj Chopra all watchful eyes will be glued on Manu this time around.

2. Tajinder Toor (Shotput)

From the swift sprinters and throwers, we move over to the power-packed shot putters. Tajinder Toor is well known for his ability to throw the metal ball over the distant line and is definitely a player to bet on. The athlete from Moga, Punjab has done it all at the Asian level.

Previously, he won two gold medals at the Asian Games 2018 and Asian Championship respectively. He added another to his name at the Asian Indoor Championship in Astana this year. Toor's recent performance at the Indian Grand Prix also saw him place first with a total score of 1193 points.

1. Annu Rani (Javelin)

From hurling sugarcane sticks in the field to throwing the javelin, Annu Rani came a long way. Annu also faced opposition from her very own father who was critical of her choice. However, that was not going to stop her on her quest to become a star javelin thrower.

Annu has finished in the top 8 twice at the World Championships. She is also a distinguished Asian Championship silver medalist, a Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, and an Asian Games bronze medalist. Her journey from the fields of Meerut has now brought her to the centre stage of world sports.

Annu will hope for nothing more than to better her personal best of 63.82 m in Ranchi. The NR holder trained in Germany since the start of the 2023 season and her experience training abroad would be an added advantage going forward.