Annu Rani becomes first Indian women's javelin thrower to win gold at Asian Games

She achieved this feat with a season best throw and her career’s third best effort.

Indian javelin thrower Annu Rani has once again made her mark on the international stage by clinching a historic gold medal in the women’s javelin throw event at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou. Annu’s remarkable achievement is a groundbreaking moment for India, as it marks the country’s first-ever gold medal in women’s javelin throw at the Asian Games.

Entering the competition as one of the medal favorites, her journey to gold began with a respectable throw of 56.99m in her first attempt, positioning her sixth. However, she quickly surged to the top of the leaderboard with an outstanding second throw by covering a distance of 61.28m.

As the competition progressed, it was her fourth and most crucial attempt that solidified her dominance, with an awe-inspiring throw of 62.92m, that secured her gold medal and her personal best mark for the season.

Annu Rani is no stranger to breaking barriers, as she is also the first Indian woman to surpass the 60-metre mark and holds the national record with a remarkable throw of 63.82m.

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Meanwhile, India’s Vithya Ramraj participated in the women’s 400m hurdles finals and claimed the bronze medal with a time of 55.68 seconds. Earlier in the competition, Vithya had already made history by equalling the legendary PT Usha’s 39-year-old national record by clocking an impressive 55.42 seconds during the 400m hurdles heat.

Adding to her accolades, she also secured another medal at the Games by contributing to a silver in the 4x400m relay mixed event, alongside Muhammed Ajmal Variyathodi, Subha Venkatesan and Rajesh Ramesh.

Pooja and Rubina Yadav had unfortunately been eliminated from the medal race in the women’s high jump final. Pooja’s best jump was 1.80m while Rubina’s best performance was recorded at 1.75m. As a result, they finished in sixth and ninth positions respectively.