India showcased its athletic prowess at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2025, clinching an impressive six gold medals on the opening day. The event, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet, witnessed dominant performances by Indian athletes across various disciplines at the Taiwan Municipal Athletics Stadium in Chinese Taipei on Saturday, June 7, 2025.
Pooja initiated India's golden run with a stellar performance in the women's 1500m race. She secured the gold medal with a remarkable time of 4:11.65, setting a new meet record and outstripping the competition by a significant margin. This victory underscores Pooja's consistent form, following her silver medal in the 1500m and a bronze in the 800m at the Asian Athletics Championships the previous week.
Jyothi Yarraji, the reigning Asian champion, continued her impressive season with a gold medal in the women's 100m hurdles. Clocking in at 12.99 seconds, she demonstrated her speed and skill, securing her second sub-13 performance of the season. Despite a slightly slower start, Yarraji surged ahead in the final stretch, reaffirming her status as a top hurdler.
Tejas Shirse also contributed to India's gold rush by winning the men's 110m hurdles with a season-best time of 13.52 seconds. Shirse's victory marked a strong comeback after missing the Asian Championships due to qualification standards, highlighting his resilience and determination.
In the field events, Abdulla Aboobacker dominated the men's triple jump, securing gold with a leap of 16.21m. Aboobacker's performance was unmatched, as he was the only competitor to surpass the 16m mark, showcasing his dominance in the event.
Adding to the medal tally, both the men's and women's 4x100m relay teams clinched gold medals. The women's team, comprising Sudheeksha Vadluri, Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha SS, and Nithya Gandhe, finished with a meet record time of 44.07 seconds, despite a minor fumble during the baton exchange. The men's team, consisting of Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain, secured gold with a time of 38.75 seconds, narrowly missing the national record.
The Indian contingent's outstanding performance at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2025 highlights the country's growing strength in athletics. The athletes' dedication and hard work have resulted in a remarkable achievement, bringing pride to the nation. The event serves as a valuable platform for these athletes to gain international experience and prepare for upcoming major competitions, hopefully including the Tokyo World Championships.
