National Games: Steady Sachin Yadav makes progress, wins javelin gold despite early slip up | Sport-others News

The start wasn’t ideal for javelin thrower Sachin Yadav as he slipped during the men’s final at the National Games. After losing balance and regering a throw of just 65.96 metres in his first attempt, Sachin was worried about possible injury. But his day just got better from thereon. A personal best, a gold medal and a National Games record. The 25-year-old, a late bloomer, has made steady progress over the past year. On Wednesday, he finished ahead of experienced throwers Rohit Yadav, the silver medal, and former Asian Championships silver medal Shivpal Singh, who didn’t finish on the podium. Rohit’s best was 80.47m and local boy Vikash Sharma, the third place finisher, regered 79.33m.Once he hit the straps on Wednesday, Sachin was way ahead of the competition.
“The first throw was a poor one as I slipped and the fear of injury crept in my mind. However, the second throw came out nicely and eventually I felt more confident. I know if I get my rhythm, I will get my personal best. This is my biggest medal and I am glad that I won a gold medal in the first competition of the year,” he told The Indian Express.
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After the first throw, Sachin recorded five legal throws crossing 80 metres twice, recording 84.39m in his fifth throw.
The athlete from Baghpat, Uttar Pradesh, first made a mark in 2024 with a 82.69m throw at the Indian Grand Prix last year. He improved further with 84.21m at the All India Police Games.
Starting his javelin journey six years back in 2019, Sachin was first a cricketer, a fast bowler and an opening batsman.
However, one his relatives Sandeep Yadav spotted him and convinced him to switch to javelin.Story continues below this ad
Two years later when Neeraj Chopra won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics, Sachin decided that he wanted to stick with his second-choice sport.
“Neeraj bhai is my idol and I follow him closely. His 86.48m throw at the 2016 U20 World Championships still inspires me,” Sachin said.
After training in Baghpat, Sachin moved to New Delhi to work with Dronacharya awardee and renowned coach Naval Singh who has coached double Paralympic champion Sumit Antil.
Talking about his plans for the year, Sachin said, “I wanted to do my personal best today and didn’t have any dance in mind. With the PB coming, my confidence for the season will grow further.”Story continues below this ad
Sachin is focussing on increasing his power and to remain injury free throughout the season.
“Currently during the off season, I was working with my coach to increase the power and strength,” Sachin said.
“I have been having a really good time with Naval sir for the past six months and he understands my body. If any workout affects my body slightly also, he asks me to stop. Our plan is to remain injury free as the rehabilitation and recovery can take away a lot of time,” Sachin said.
Though he was asked to join the camp at NIS in Patiala, where new coach Sergey Makarov is based, Sachin decided to continue his partnership with Naval.Story continues below this ad
“Yes, I got a call to join the camp at NIS Patiala but my coach and I decided to train in Delhi only. Right now, I am getting results with my coach and it doesn’t make sense to switch from Delhi to Patiala,” Sachin said.
“I am consently hitting more than 82-83 metres in my training and I think it’s best for me to continue in the same rhythm,” Sachin added.
Makarov, a former world champion and double Olympic medal for Russia, was appointed the new coach for the Indian javelin earlier this year. Makarov was in attendance to watch the final at the National Games.
The Russian coach sounded positive about Sachin’s prospects.
“I think he can go beyond 86 metres. He looks really good to me,” Makarov told The Indian Express on the sidelines. “I think the headwind was a little strong today, that is why he managed 84 but I think he has huge potential,” he added further.
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Key results Men: (Javelin): 1. Sachin Yadav (UP) (84.39m), 2. Rohit Yadav (UP) (80.47m), 3. Vikash Sharma (UTK) (79.33m); 400m hurdles 1. Ruchit Mori (GUJ) (50.97s), 2. Hardeep (PUN) (51.02s), 3. Rohan Kamble (MAH) (51.77s); 5000m: 1. Sawan Barwal (HP) (13:45.93), 2. Gagan Singh (HAR) (14:00.04), 3.Sunil Dawar (MP) (14:01.33)
Women: (High Jump): 1. Pooja (HAR) (1.84m), 2. Gobika K (TN) (1.79m), 3. Abhinaya Shetty (KAR) and Rekha (HAR) (1.77m); 400m hurdles: 1. Vithya Ramraj (TN) (58.11s), 2. Shreevarthani SK (TN) (59.86s), 3. Neha Dhabale (MAH) (1:00.52s); 5000m: 1. Ankita Dhyani (UTK) (15:56.03), 2. Sanjivani Jadhav (MAH) (15:59.12), 3. Poonam Sonune (MAH) (16:53.52)