Asha Ilango turns Asian Games heartbreak into record-breaking national gold
Bharatmorning.com – Asha Ilango responded to the narrowest of Asian Games disappointments by producing a record-setting performance at the National Open Athletics Championships. The 27-year-old triple jumper claimed gold with 13.89m, surpassing the previous meet mark of 13.78m set by Mayookha Johny in 2015.
The result arrived soon after Ilango missed an Asian Games bronze in Aichi-Nagoya despite recording the same best jump as China’s Li Yi. Both athletes reached 13.83m, but Li secured third place through the countback rule after her next-best effort of 13.79m bettered Ilango’s 13.65m.
For Ilango, the loss was painful not simply because of the medal, but because it came after years of persistence in an event where injuries and small margins can alter an entire competition. Yet the National Open victory offered proof that she has moved quickly from frustration to renewed ambition.
“It feels so good to break the meet record here. It shows that I can do much better.”
A difficult journey back from injury
The Madurai athlete has spent a decade working on the triple jump and has begun seeing stronger returns only since last year. Her progress has included setbacks, notably an ankle injury that ruled her out for four months last season.
After recovering, Ilango earned Asian Games qualification and came within centimetres of the podium. The countback decision left her devastated.
“It was so close, just centimetres. That’s how tough sport is. I have been putting so much effort into the triple jump for 10 years, and only now have I started getting results, since last year.”
“I came back and qualified for the Asian Games, and to come so close to a medal and not have it was very tough. I could not sleep for days.”
Her 13.89m effort at the National Open Championships was therefore more than a gold-medal-winning jump. It also exceeded Johny’s long-standing meet record by 11 centimetres. Johny remains the national record holder with 14.11m, a benchmark that illustrates the level Ilango can continue to chase as her consistency grows.
Sporting success changes a family conversation
Ilango said the Asian Games campaign has also changed the atmosphere at home. Before her recent rise, discussions around marriage regularly surfaced during periods when she was injured or not performing well. She had grown tired of the pressure and asked her family for time to focus on athletics.
“My parents, everyone in the family and the elders, would always talk about marriage. Whenever I was injured or not performing well, the topic would be that I should get married. I was fed up.”
“I asked them to give me six months and said I would return with a medal from the Asian Games. Though I lost the medal and it was tough, they are not bothering me now. They are encouraging me to continue.”
That support matters in an individual sport where preparation, rehabilitation and travel can demand years of commitment without immediate reward. Ilango’s performance at the national meet gives her a tangible result to build on after the anguish of Aichi-Nagoya.
Shaili Singh finds another event
The women’s triple jump also brought an encouraging debut for Shaili Singh, better known as a long jumper. Singh took bronze with 13.31m, while Bhairabi Roy won silver after jumping 13.36m.
Singh finished fourth in the long jump at the Asian Games and had briefly been in contention for a medal. She was dissatisfied with the measurement of her fourth attempt, which was listed at 6.42m. Her move into triple jump now offers another competitive outlet, although she has made clear that long jump remains her principal event.
“It was surprising that I won a medal on debut. I wanted to try out the triple jump and it was very exciting. I enjoyed myself. Going forward, long jump will continue to be my priority, but I will also keep doing triple jump.”
Her coach said Singh had already been practising the discipline and that her physique could suit the event. The plan is to test her again at next year’s National Games and assess her development. Combining two events can also help sustain interest during a long athletics season.
Other notable performances
In the women’s discus, Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Seema Kaliramna won with 57.63m. Nikita Kumar finished second with 52.48m. Kaliramna had thrown a personal best of 59.88m at the Asian Games but placed fourth there, making the national title a useful conclusion to her campaign.
Delhi hammer thrower Nirbhay Chaudhary added another gold with 69.42m. He had set a national record of 71.02m at a meet at the same venue last month. Praveen Kumar secured silver with 67.37m and Ashish Jakhar took bronze with 66.86m.
In pole vault, Kuldeep Kumar cleared 5.30m to win, ahead of Regan G at 5.25m and Rambeer at 5.10m. Kuldeep’s personal best stands at 5.45m. Fellow Madhya Pradesh vaulter Dev Meena did not compete after a demanding season in which he broke the national record several times, including a 5.50m clearance at the Asian Games, where he finished seventh.
“We are going into the off-season now, where we will work on their speed and explosive strength and come back with better performances next season,” said Dev and Kuldeep’s coach, Ghanshyam Yadav.
“The target is to qualify for the LA Olympics, and for that we have to keep pushing the bar.”
For Ilango, the immediate message is equally clear: an Asian Games medal slipped away, but her national-record-breaking performance has ensured that the season ends with momentum rather than regret.
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