Andhra Pradesh Minister Nara Lokesh hails Arjuna Award winner Jyothi Yarraji, calls her an inspiration to youth

In a social media message, Lokesh celebrated Jyothi's remarkable journey from Visakhapatnam to international athletics, highlighting her achievements in the women's 100-metre hurdles. He praised her determination, perseverance and ability to compete successfully against some of Asia's leading athletes.

Jyothi has established herself as one of India's foremost hurdlers, winning two gold medals at the Asian Athletics Championships and a silver medal at the Asian Games. She also holds the Indian national record in the women's 100-metre hurdles, reflecting her consistent performances at the highest levels of competition.

The athlete's achievements have brought considerable recognition to Andhra Pradesh, particularly Visakhapatnam, where her sporting journey began. Her rise in international athletics has been marked by years of disciplined training, competitive performances and steady improvement in an event requiring exceptional speed, technique and precision.

Lokesh described her Arjuna Award recognition as a proud moment for Andhra Pradesh and said her success demonstrated what young athletes could achieve through dedication and hard work.

The Arjuna Award, among India's most prestigious sporting honours, recognises outstanding achievements in national and international competitions. Jyothi was named among the recipients of the 2024 awards in recognition of her contributions to Indian athletics.

Her success has also drawn attention to the growing potential of athletes from Andhra Pradesh to compete on international platforms. As a national record holder and Asian Games medallist, Jyothi has emerged as an important figure in Indian track and field athletics.

Lokesh expressed hope that her achievements would motivate more young people to pursue sporting careers and strive for excellence. He reiterated that Andhra Pradesh was proud of Jyothi's accomplishments and her contribution to the country's sporting reputation.

The recognition adds another milestone to Jyothi Yarraji's career, reinforcing her standing among India's leading athletes and highlighting the opportunities available to talented sportspersons from the Telugu states.