After successfully making a comeback by qualifying for the Asian Games, hurdler Jyothi Yarraji wants to improve her fitness and perform better at the continental event.

Jyothi, who was out of action for a year due to injuries, timed 13.14s in the women’s 100m hurdles heats to make it to the quadrennial event before clocking 12.99 to win the final at the National inter-State athletics meet at the Kalinga Stadium here.

The 26-year-old was determined to retain her ‘hurdles queen’ tag. “It was painful for me to sit in my room and watch the action. I was expecting 12.6. I prayed everyday to make this happen because I suffered many injuries,” said an emotional Jyothi.

She was grateful to her coach James Hillier, the Athletics Director of Reliance Foundation, for his support. “From the day I got injured, my coach was worried so much. Yesterday (prior to the competition) he wrote a big letter about how hard we worked and gave me my favourite blueberries and toys so that I didn’t feel nervous.”

The wiry athlete overcame apprehensions about her future and relied on her hard work to make a fine comeback. “Mentally, I am 10 times stronger than before.”

Jyothi, who bagged a silver in the last Asian Games and retained her gold in the 2025 Asian championships, said: “the Asian Games is three months away. I’ll focus to become fully fit and win the title.”

While her hurdles performance boosted Jyothi’s confidence, her showing in the 200m (24.1 in heats and 24 in the final to be sixth) was below par. Her personal best (23.13) came three years ago.

However, that was not a concern for Hillier. “Our primary plan for this competition was to qualify in the hurdles. While Jyothi is a strong 200m runner, her limited preparation and the physical and emotional exhaustion from the hurdles meant the 200m served more as a learning experience to keep her grounded.

“Her hurdles performance was a significant and symbolic step forward... The comeback phase is now behind us, and we are fully focused on this new beginning,” said Hillier.