National Open Athletics Championships 2025: Rishab Nehra takes men’s javelin crown with personal best
Rishab Nehra sprung a surprise to record his personal best of 80.12m and claim the men’s javelin crown in a competitive field on the concluding day of the National Open Athletics Championships at the Birsa Munda Stadium, Morabadi, on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Nehra, who had a previous best of 77.38m in 2022 and a season best of 72.29m, began with 72.26m and 76.19m in his first two attempts before hurling the spear high and far to join the elite 80m club. It helped him go past leader Shivam Lohakare’s 76.58m and corner glory.
“The feel was good in the first two throws, so my coach asked me to push in the third and it worked,” said Nehra.
The promising Lohakare, nursing dodgy and painful ankles, managed 77.65m in his third effort to take the bronze behind Uttam Patil, who recorded 78.01m.
Silver medallist Uttam Patil, gold winner Rishab Nehra and bronze medalist Shivam Lohakare in men’s javelin pose for a photo after winning medals at the National Open athletics championships in Ranchi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
AFI Media
Silver medallist Uttam Patil, gold winner Rishab Nehra and bronze medalist Shivam Lohakare in men’s javelin pose for a photo after winning medals at the National Open athletics championships in Ranchi on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
AFI Media
Prominent athletes Yashvir Singh (77.66m), who participated in the Tokyo World Championships, and Sahil Silwal (76.94m) finished fourth and fifth respectively.
Asian bronze medallist Pooja Olla, who marked her personal best (2:01.03) in Tokyo, comfortably won the women’s 800m gold with 2:03.16 despite a late challenge from Lili Das (2:04.15).
Ankita Dhyani, another Worlds participant, ran a lonely race to the women’s 3000m steeplechase title (10:01.74).
K.A. Anamika (5629) achieved her personal best to win her maiden heptathlon gold.
Manikanta Hoblidhar (100m) and Pooja (800m) were adjudged the best athletes in men and women’s sections respectively.
Railways men, comprising Kaven S.K., Theerthesh Shetty, Vikrant Panchal and Rajesh Ramesh, set a new meet record (3:06.35) in 4x400m relay.
The results:
Men: 200m: Sandeep Singh (SSCB) 20.95; 800m: Prakash Gadade (SSCB) 1:50.01; 10000m: Prince Kumar (AIP) 30:25.15; 400m hurdles: Ruchit Mori (Guj) 50.47; 3000m steeplechase: Vikram Singh (SSCB) 8:38.91; 4x400m relay: Railways 3:06.35 (NMR, Old 3:06.63, Services, 2015); Triple jump: Dinesh V. (TN) 16.27m; Javelin: Rishab Nehra (UP) 80.12m.
Women: 200m: Sakshi Chavan (Guj) 23.78; 800m: Pooja (Rlys) 2:03.16; 10000m: Ravina Gayakwad (Mah) 35:30.16; 3000m steeplechase: Ankita Dhyani (Rlys) 10:01.74; 4x400m relay: Railways 3:39.28; Long jump: Bhavani Yadav Bhagav (Rlys) 6.13m; Hammer: Tanya Chaudhary (UP) 60.83m; Heptathlon: K.A. Anamika 5629; 400m hurdles: Olimba Steffi (Rlys) 58.93.
Team championships: Men: Services, Women: Railways, Overall: Railways.
Published on Sep 30, 2025