Asian Games: Annu secures first-ever gold in women's javelin throw
India's Annu Rani scripted history by clinching the gold medal in the final of women's javelin throw at the 2023 Asian Games. She entered the event as one of the medal favorites and exceeded expectations with the glorious gold medal. Her best throw of 62.92m came in her fourth attempt. Sri Lanka's Dilhani Lekamge and China's Lyu Huihui finished behind her.
Annu was spectacular to clinch the gold medal
Annu came up with her season-best throw of 62.92m to win the gold medal. While Sri Lanka's Dilhani Lekamge finished second with the best throw of 61.57m. She won the silver medal as China's Lyu Huihui secured the bronze medal with the best effort of 61.29m. Annu started slowly from the sixth position. However, she moved right in front after her second attempt.
First Indian women's javelin thrower to win Asian Games gold
Annu became the first Indian woman to secure the Asian Games gold in the women's javelin throw. She became the second Indian to win Asiad gold in javelin throw after Neeraj Chopra. Annu won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, where she became the first Indian woman to win a medal in javelin throw. She also became the first Indian woman to cross 60m.
One of the four Indian athletes to win individual gold
Avinash Sable won the first gold medal for India in athletics at the 2023 Asian Games when he dominated the men's 3000m steeplechase. Later, Tajinderpal Singh Toor defended his Asian Games crown in men's shot put. Parul Chaudhury became the third track and field athlete to bag a gold medal in the ongoing event. Later, javelin thrower, Rani clinched the fourth gold medal.
Who is Annu Rani?
Born on 28 August 1992, Annu hails from Meerut in Uttar Pradesh. She used to play cricket when her brother noticed her upper body strength and asked her to pursue javelin throw. Annu started her training by hurling sugarcane sticks as she couldn't afford javelin sticks. She started her journey in javelin back in 2010 and broke the national record in 2014.
A look at Annu Rani's career accolades
As mentioned, she broke the national record in the 2014 Inter-State Championships and qualified for the 2014 Commonwealth Games, where she finished eighth. Annu won the bronze medal in the 2014 Asiad. She won the silver in the 2019 Asian Athletics Championship and became the first Indian female javelin thrower to qualify for the World Championships. Annu won bronze at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.
