Asian Games 2023: During the Asian Games on October 1st, Indian athlete Jyoti Yaraji secured a silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles, but her victory was marred by controversy. Jyoti’s medal was momentarily in jeopardy due to an error made by Chinese athlete Wu Yani. Jyoti has openly shared the details of the controversy that unfolded after she won the medal.
Jyothi Yarraji speaks on the Asian Games controversey
Indian athlete Jyoti Yaraji clinched the silver medal in the 100-meter hurdles race event during the Asian Games‘ eighth day. Controversy arose during the race when China’s athlete Wu Yan was allowed to continue despite a false start. Jyoti, in an interview, spoke about this incident, stating that, “It was a horrible experience…I just want to say that cheating should never be appreciated in any sport. She did a false start, we have to accept that…After a lot of drama, I finally won the silver medal. This was my first Asian Games and I won a silver medal.”
What had actually happened?
Yuwei Lin and Yanni Wu from China were competing for the gold medal. At the start of the race, a false start occurred, and it seemed that Wu, racing in lane four, had initiated her movement earlier than signaled by the officials. Officials reviewed the replays and surprisingly disqualified both Wu and Jyothi Yarraji, who was in the fifth lane. As the national record holder for India, Jyothi Yarraji lodged a protest and requested a second review of the decision.
Yarraji contended that her hands were on the ground when the Chinese athlete initiated her takeoff, which should not have been classified as a false start. She presented her case to the technical officials, and after nearly 10 minutes of debate and confusion, it was decided to allow both athletes to compete.
Watch the viral Asian Games 2023 video here
Wu, however, protested the revised decision and ran the race under protest, as per the rules. In the end, Wu finished second, and Yarraji finished third. Following the race, the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) filed an official written protest with the organizers, insisting that Wu should be disqualified for a false start under Rule 16.8.
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