Archive · 22 Aug 2026
Abinaya Rajarajan Breaks U20 100m Record After Injury
Abinaya Rajarajan is a 19-year-old sprinter who had a serious knee injury.
She hurt her ACL, meniscus and patella during a race in February.
After three months away, she returned to competition.
In her latest race, she ran 100 metres in 11.34 seconds.
That was faster than the previous Under-20 national record.
She celebrated by copying Cristiano Ronaldo’s “Siuuu” move.
The win helped her earn confidence and support for the relay team.
She cannot compete in the individual 100 metres at the Asian Games, but she still hopes to become even faster.
Abinaya Rajarajan won the women’s 100 metres in 11.34 seconds, setting a new Under-20 national record.
The 19-year-old returned after suffering ACL, meniscus and patella injuries at the Asian Indoor Championships.
Her record surpassed Nipam’s 11.53 seconds, which had improved Abinaya’s previous 11.54-second mark.
The injury ended Abinaya’s chance to qualify for the Asian Games individual 100 metres, though she remains in the relay squad.
Rohit Yadav won the men’s javelin with a personal-best throw of 87.68 metres.
- Who
- Abinaya Rajarajan won the women’s 100 metres; Rohit Yadav won the men’s javelin.
- What
- Abinaya set an Under-20 national 100m record of 11.34 seconds after returning from injury, while Rohit threw a personal-best 87.68 metres.
- When
- Abinaya’s record came on Saturday; her injury occurred in February, followed by three months on the sidelines.
- Where
- The injury occurred at the Asian Indoor Championships in Tianjin, China; the article does not specify the location of Abinaya’s record race.
- Why
- Abinaya was seeking a strong comeback performance and a place in the Asian Games relay squad; Rohit was aiming for a stronger result after the Commonwealth Games.
- Abinaya’s time
- 11.34 seconds
- Previous U20 record
- Nipam held the record at 11.53 seconds after surpassing Abinaya’s earlier 11.54 seconds.
- Injury
- Abinaya suffered ACL, meniscus and patella injuries in February.
- Asian Games status
- Abinaya missed qualification for the individual 100 metres but made the six-member relay squad.
- Rohit Yadav’s throw
- 87.68 metres, a personal best.
- Rohit’s world ranking
- His javelin distance moved him to fourth in the world this year by distance.