India showcased its growing dominance in athletics by clinching the top position at the Taiwan Athletics Open 2025, held in Taipei on June 7 and 8. The Indian team amassed an impressive haul of 16 medals, including 12 golds, three silvers, and one bronze, outperforming strong contingents from Australia and South Korea, who finished second and third respectively.

Star performers such as Annu Rani, Rohit Yadav, Jyothi Yarraji, and Pooja delivered record-breaking performances across track and field events. Officials from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) praised the athletes’ dedication and highlighted the event as a crucial stepping stone towards upcoming global competitions like the World Championships and Olympic qualifiers.

India’s Athletics Juggernaut: Record-Breaking Performances and Medal Sweeps

The Taiwan Open witnessed a spectacular display of Indian athleticism, with the 34-member contingent excelling across a variety of disciplines. On the first day, Jyothi Yarraji set the tone by clocking an impressive 12.99 seconds to win the women’s 100m hurdles, while Tejas Shirse took gold in the men’s 110m hurdles with a time of 13.52 seconds.

Middle-distance runner Pooja stunned the crowd by not only winning the women’s 1500m but also setting a new championship record of 4:11.63, showcasing her remarkable endurance and tactical skill. In the men’s triple jump, Abdulla Aboobacker soared to gold with a leap of 16.21 metres, further adding to India’s growing reputation in field events.

The relay teams were equally impressive; the men’s and women’s 4x100m squads both clinched gold, with the women’s team breaking the meet record, signalling India’s growing strength in sprint events.

Day two continued the momentum with Vithya Ramraj dominating the women’s 400m hurdles, finishing in 56.53 seconds to take gold. Pooja added another gold to her tally in the 800m event, smashing the championship record with a time of 2:02.79 seconds, while Krishan Kumar triumphed in the men’s 800m with a record-setting 1:48.46.

The men’s 4x400m relay team also set a new meet record, finishing in 3:05.58 to secure gold. In the javelin throw, two Indian athletes stood tall: Annu Rani threw 56.82 metres to win the women’s event, while Rohit Yadav’s impressive 74.42 metres earned him the men’s gold, despite challenging weather conditions.

The women’s long jump event saw Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan claim silver and bronze respectively, narrowly missing gold to Australia’s Delta Amidzovski, underscoring the competitive spirit and depth of Indian athletics.

Building Momentum: Context and the Road Ahead

The Taiwan Athletics Open was more than just a medal-winning opportunity; it was a vital platform for Indian athletes to gain world ranking points and valuable competitive experience ahead of major international meets such as the World Athletics Championships and Olympic qualifiers.

The event highlighted India’s increasing bench strength, with young talents like Twinkle Chaudhary securing silver in the women’s 800m alongside Pooja’s gold, and Yashas Palaksha clocking a personal best of 49.22 seconds to win silver in the men’s 400m hurdles. The relay teams’ consistent podium finishes further demonstrate the depth and teamwork within the squad.

Despite the absence of Olympic javelin champion Neeraj Chopra, India’s javelin throwers dominated the field, reflecting the country’s expanding talent pool in this discipline. Recent successes at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, have also bolstered the team’s confidence and morale, setting a positive tone for the upcoming global challenges.

Athletics Federation of India officials expressed immense satisfaction with the team’s performance. A senior AFI spokesperson remarked, “The results from Taiwan are a clear indication that Indian athletics is on a strong upward trajectory. Our athletes have shown resilience, skill, and the ability to perform under pressure.

This success is the product of years of hard work, improved training facilities, and scientific coaching methods. We are confident that this momentum will carry forward to the World Championships and beyond.”

The Logical Indian’s Perspective

India’s stellar performance at the Taiwan Athletics Open is a beacon of hope and pride for a nation passionate about sports. It exemplifies how perseverance, teamwork, and strategic investment in sports infrastructure can yield world-class results.

These victories should not just be celebrated as isolated achievements but as milestones in India’s journey towards becoming a global athletics powerhouse.

At The Logical Indian, we believe that nurturing young talent through grassroots programmes and ensuring equitable access to training facilities across the country are essential for sustained success. Moreover, fostering a culture of empathy, encouragement, and healthy competition will inspire more youths to embrace sports as a means of personal and social development.