Jyothi Yarraji stood in silence—no roaring crowd, no loud applause—just India’s pride reflected in her tear-filled eyes. Her powerful yet quiet podium moment has gone viral, showing that true greatness doesn’t always need noise.
Competing in an almost empty stadium, she produced a golden run in the women’s 100m hurdles, once again proving why she is celebrated as India’s fastest woman hurdler.
Who is Jyothi Yarraji?
Jyothi Yarraji (born 28 August 1999) is an Indian track and field athlete specializing in the 100m hurdles. She is the national record holder in the event and the first Indian woman to compete in the 100m hurdles at the Olympic Games.
- Birthplace: Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
- Height: 1.76 m
- Events: 100m hurdles, 60m hurdles, 200m
Yarraji represents a new generation of Indian athletics—disciplined, resilient, and fearless on the international stage.
Early Life, Parents, and Background
Hailing from Andhra Pradesh, Jyothi comes from a modest family. Her father, Suryanarayana, works as a security guard, while her mother is a domestic helper. She completed her schooling at Port High School, Visakhapatnam, and later studied at a college affiliated with Acharya Nagarjuna University.
Her athletic journey gained momentum after joining the Sports Authority of India (SAI) hostel in Hyderabad. She later trained at the Centre of Excellence in Guntur and, since 2019, has been coached by British coach James Hillier at the Reliance Athletics High Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar.
Career, Gold Medals, and Records
Yarraji is a two-time Asian champion in the 100m hurdles and has consistently delivered medal-winning performances for India.
Major Achievements
- Asian Championships 2023 (Bangkok) – 100m hurdles
- Asian Championships 2025 (Gumi) – 100m hurdles
- Asian Indoor Championships 2024 (Tehran) – 60m hurdles
- Asian Games 2022 (Hangzhou) – 100m hurdles
- Taiwan Open 2025 – 100m hurdles
She holds the Indian national record of 12.78 seconds in the 100m hurdles and became the first Indian woman to break the 13-second barrier in the event.
Olympics Journey and 2025 Injury Update
She represented India at the 2024 Paris Olympics, becoming the first Indian woman to compete in the 100m hurdles at the Games.
However, in July 2025, Yarraji suffered a knee injury (ACL tear) during training and underwent surgery. The injury ruled her out of the 2025 World Championships and the remainder of the season.
A Quiet Moment That Spoke Loudly
While stadiums may have been empty, the weight Yarraji carried was immense—the hopes of a nation and the dreams of young athletes across India. Her silent stance on the podium became a powerful symbol of resilience, sacrifice, and national pride.
Jyothi Yarraji may have stood alone in that moment, but she spoke for millions. And in that silence, India heard her loud and clear.
