New Delhi: Jyothi Yarraji has compelling reasons for describing her recent experience in South Africa as the "best training camp" she has attended. Firstly, the university town of Stellenbosch provided a refreshing escape from the noise of her home environment. Additionally, she had the opportunity to train alongside elite athletes, including Dutch hurdler Nadine Visser, who secured fourth place at the Paris Olympics with a time of 12.43 seconds, compared to Yarraji's personal best of 12.78 seconds. She also formed a connection with four-time Olympic medallist Femke Bol.

During her time there, Yarraji had the honor of presenting the Player of the Match award at the SA20 match between Joburg Super Kings and MI Cape Town. However, it was the rigorous track and gym sessions with the Dutch national team that truly prepared her mentally, especially as she was still processing a disappointing performance at the Olympics.

Yarraji noted the stark contrast between the training methodologies of the Dutch athletes and her own. "Their training is characterized by an intense focus and a relaxed atmosphere, which I aspire to adopt," she remarked. "They emphasize three essential elements of hurdling—lead, block, and finish—each addressed individually. Their training regimen is remarkably advanced."

Although Yarraji is a capable lifter herself, she was taken aback by the weights that the Dutch female athletes routinely handled. She diligently recorded the insights and techniques shared by the Dutch athletes and coaches. However, she emphasized that the most significant lesson she learned was one about life itself.

"My time spent with Femke Bol left a lasting impression due to her humility. All the athletes were incredibly modest and eager to impart their knowledge. They remain grounded and remember their roots, which may very well be the key to their success," she reflected.

Specialized training and injury prevention are essential for achieving success, and these are the areas Yarraji intends to prioritize as she embarks on the new season. She has already commenced her competitive journey with three races in France. Her season began with the 60m hurdles, during which she remarkably improved her national record twice within a few hours, ultimately winning at the Meeting de Nantes Metropole with a time of 8.04 seconds last month. In her subsequent two competitions, Yarraji reached the finals, finishing fifth with a time of 8.10 seconds at the Elite Indoor Track Miramas Meeting and sixth with a time of 8.20 seconds at the Meeting de L’Eure in Val-de-Reuil.

“I have warmed up nicely for the season. The mind and body are feeling great,” stated Yarraji, who is set to compete at the National Games in Dehradun.

This year, she has her sights set on the Asian and World Championships, although the disappointment from the Paris Games still weighs heavily on her. Yarraji had anticipated reaching the semifinals but was eliminated in the repechage heat, finishing fourth with a time of 13.17 seconds.

Reflecting on her experience six months later, Yarraji, who suffered a hip flexor injury three months prior to the Games, approaches her campaign with a sense of realism. “I couldn’t handle the pressure,” she admitted.

“There were numerous expectations. I received calls and messages from all directions, and that ultimately burdened me.”

Pressure is not unfamiliar to Yarraji, who has been competing at elite multi-discipline events since 2022. She represented India at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games and maintained her composure to secure a silver medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.

“However, the pressure of the Olympics is entirely different,” she remarked. “Suddenly, all those previous Games (CWG and Asiad) felt distant. I was constantly thinking, ‘I want to make the semis,’ which caused me to lose focus. In retrospect, it’s all part of the learning process.”

Yarraji's challenges began in May in Finland at the Motonet GP Jyvaskyla, where she hit the final hurdle, resulting in an injury to her left hip flexor. Despite achieving her personal best of 12.78 seconds, she was unable to complete her next race two days later.

The injury significantly impacted her training schedule, although she continued to compete.

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