August 23, 2026 9:56 AM

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World Athletics Continental Tour: Rohit Yadav, Murali Sreeshankar clinch javelin and long jump titles

Indian athletes Rohit Yadav and Murali Sreeshankar emerged victorious in the javelin throw and long jump events, respectively, at the World Athletics Silver Level Continental Tour 2026 at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar yesterday.

Rohit Yadav produced a personal best effort of 87.68 metre with his sixth and final attempt to claim the javelin throw title.

The 25-year-old improved his previous personal best of 87.05 metre, which he had recorded at the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships at the same venue in June.

Rohit’s 87.68 metre throw is the fourth-best mark by an athlete in the world this season, behind Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage, Germany’s Julian Weber and India’s Neeraj Chopra. Commonwealth Games 2026 bronze medallist Yash Vir Singh finished second with a throw of 82.94 metre, while Sri Lanka’s Sumedha Ranasinghe secured third place with 80.29 metre.

In the men’s long jump event, Murali Sreeshankar secured the top position with an effort of 8.07 metres. The Indian jumper edged South Africa’s Divan Manuel, who finished second with 8.03 metres. India’s David Solomon took third place with 7.78 metres.

In the women’s long jump, national record holder Ancy Sojan led an Indian sweep after registering a winning effort of 6.71 metres. Shaili Singh finished second with 6.56 metres, while Mubassina Mohammed secured third place with 6.31 metres.

Teenager Abinaya Rajarajan also delivered a standout performance, winning the women’s 100 metre event with a timing of 11.34 seconds and reclaiming the Indian Under 20 national record. The 19-year-old surpassed the previous Under 20 mark of 11.53 seconds set by Nipam in April.

Among international athletes, Nigeria’s reigning Commonwealth Games champion Chukwuebuka Enekwechi won the men’s shot put title with a throw of 20.78 metres, while Italy’s Zane Weir finished second with 20.47 metres.

India’s Karanveer Singh recorded 20.06 metres to finish ahead of compatriot and two-time Asian Games champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who managed 20.03 metre for fourth place.

In the women’s discus throw, India’s Seema Kaliramna finished fourth with 57.44 metres. Asian Games silver medallist Jyothi Yarraji secured third place in the women’s 100 metre hurdles with a timing of 13.24 seconds.

Bahamas’ Charisma Taylor won the event, while Japan’s Yumi Tanaka finished second. Olympian Annu Rani also claimed third place in the women’s javelin throw with an effort of 56.96 metre.