Andhra Pradesh Governor Honors Jyothi Yarraji with Arjuna Award Recognition

Andhra Pradesh Governor Syed Abdul Nazeer has congratulated Indian hurdler Jyothi Yarraji for receiving the prestigious Arjuna Award. This recognition highlights her remarkable contributions to athletics and her role in bringing pride to the state and the nation. Yarraji, a leading track and field athlete, made history by qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics and has set multiple records in her sport. Her achievements include breaking national records and winning medals at various international competitions. This award underscores her dedication and excellence in athletics, marking a significant milestone in her career.

By Narendra Chaudhary Nov 14, 2026, 23:50 IST

Governor Celebrates Jyothi Yarraji's Achievement

Amaravati (Andhra Pradesh) [India], November 14: The Governor of Andhra Pradesh, Syed Abdul Nazeer, has extended his congratulations to Indian hurdler Jyothi Yarraji for being awarded the esteemed Arjuna Award. This accolade recognizes her significant contributions to athletics and the pride she has instilled in both the state and the nation.

A message from the Andhra Pradesh Lok Bhavan shared on X highlighted the Governor's sentiments, marking this recognition as a moment of pride for the state.

In his statement, Governor S. Abdul Nazeer expressed his admiration for the accomplished athlete and Olympian, stating, “It is a proud moment to witness a talented athlete from Andhra Pradesh receiving this prestigious national sporting honor. Her unwavering dedication and remarkable achievements in athletics have brought honor to both the State and the nation. I wish her ongoing success and many more accolades in her sporting journey.”

At 27 years old, Yarraji from Visakhapatnam has emerged as one of India's top track and field athletes, especially in the 100m hurdles. She made history by becoming the first Indian woman to qualify for the 100m hurdles at the Paris 2024 Olympics, achieving this through her world ranking after narrowly missing the automatic qualification by just 0.01 seconds.

Her ascent in Indian athletics gained momentum in 2022 when she set a national record in the 100m hurdles with a time of 13.23 seconds. She later became the first Indian woman to break the 13-second barrier, clocking 12.78 seconds at the 2023 World University Games in Chengdu, where she secured a bronze medal.

Yarraji's accomplishments on the continental level include winning gold in the 100m hurdles at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok and earning silver in the same event at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou. Additionally, she clinched gold in the 60m hurdles at the 2024 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships.

Continuing her impressive streak, Yarraji defended her 100m hurdles title at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, achieving a championship-record time of 12.96 seconds.

The Arjuna Award she received is a testament to her consistent performance in both national and international competitions, recognizing her excellence in sports and her contributions to Indian athletics.