Asian U23 Athletics Championships: Anand Singh’s PB Javelin Gold Caps India’s 16-Medal Haul in Ordos
India signed off the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships in style, with javelin thrower Anand Singh and the women’s 4x400m relay quartet both striking gold on the final day in the Chinese city of Ordos. The strong finish lifted India to a total of 16 medals — three gold, four silver and nine bronze — a promising return at the first edition of the continental age-group championship.
Anand Singh’s golden arm
The standout individual performance came from Anand Singh in the men’s javelin. Saving his best for last, he unleashed a personal-best throw of 80.57m with his final attempt to cross the 80-metre barrier and snatch the gold medal. It was a clutch effort under pressure, and one that marks him out as a genuine prospect for India’s famously deep javelin pipeline. Compatriot Shivam Lohakare made it two on the podium, taking bronze with a throw of 77.70m.
Golden girls in the 4x400m
India’s second gold of the day came in the women’s 4x400m relay, where the quartet of Shravani Sachin Sangle, Sandramol Sabu, Pravallika Narimalla and Nofisa Khatun clocked 3:33.62 to hold off China (3:35.14) and Kazakhstan (3:37.65). It was a well-judged team run and a fitting way to add to India’s tally on the closing day.
Silver in the relays and more
The relay events were kind to India throughout. The women’s 4x100m team of Sanjana, Akshaya Saravanan, Sudheeksha V and Shreeya Rajesh claimed silver in 44.68 seconds, behind China (43.75). The men’s 4x400m quartet — Astik Pradhan, Sharan Megavarnam, Setu Mishra and Aman Choudhary — also took silver in 3:04.24, with China (3:03.46) edging gold and Qatar third. The men’s 4x100m team narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in 39.38 seconds.
Elsewhere on the final day, Sudeep placed fifth in the men’s high jump (2.10m), while there were solid efforts in the distance and race-walk events from Bhumeshwory Devi Huidrom, Sachin Garhwal and Aarti.
The takeaway
Three golds, four silvers and nine bronzes for a total of 16 medals is an encouraging showing at the first-ever Asian U23 Championships — a level specifically designed to bridge the gap between the junior ranks and senior international competition. For Indian athletics, the depth on display across the throws, relays and jumps is exactly what the system needs as it builds toward the Asian Games and beyond. Names like Anand Singh are ones to watch.
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