AFI Seeks Answers Over Yarraji and Chithravel Withdrawals

The Athletics Federation of India is set to seek explanations from the private entities and coaches working with Jyothi Yarraji and Praveen Chithravel after both national record holders withdrew from their events with injuries at the 2026 Asian Games.

According to sources, the withdrawals on Saturday have prompted concern within the Indian athletics setup because both athletes had been included in the 75-member team after receiving fitness clearance at the last minute. Yarraji withdrew from the women’s 100m hurdles, while triple jumper Chithravel was unable to continue after beginning his event.

Both athletes had also missed the Indian Athletics Series Final in New Delhi on September 10. Yarraji had been dealing with knee stress, while Chithravel had a calf muscle pull. Those issues had been described as minor at the time.

AFI to seek clarity on injury issues

An official source said the federation would ask the private entities under which the athletes are currently training, as well as their coaches, for answers regarding the injury issues. The development follows the pair’s late fitness clearance and subsequent exits from competition at the Games.

Yarraji was pulled out before the women’s 100m hurdles first-round heats at the rain-lashed Mizuho Park Athletic Stadium. An official said she felt pain after completing her full warm-up. Her withdrawal meant she did not take part in the opening heats of her event.

The hurdler had made her comeback this year after surgery in July 2025 to repair an anterior cruciate ligament tear in her right knee. Her injury history and the knee stress that kept her out of the Indian Athletics Series Final form part of the context around her withdrawal at the Games.

Chithravel entered the triple jump competition but could not complete his first attempt. He left the competition area clutching his calf in apparent pain and was later taken away from the venue in a wheelchair. An Indian team coach confirmed that he left the competition because of an injury.

The two withdrawals came after the athletes had been selected for India’s Asian Games athletics contingent. With AFI now expected to request an account from their current training entities and coaches, the focus will be on the circumstances surrounding their fitness and their inability to complete their scheduled events.

Medal winners from the previous Asian Games

Yarraji and Chithravel arrived at the 2026 Asian Games with previous medal success at the continental event. Yarraji won silver at the last edition of the Asian Games in China, while Chithravel earned bronze.

That record underlines the significance of their absences for the Indian athletics team. Both are national record holders, and both had been named in the squad after receiving clearance despite missing the September 10 domestic meet.

The available details from Saturday point to separate injury concerns: Yarraji felt pain during her warm-up for the 100m hurdles, and Chithravel was unable to finish his first jump after experiencing calf pain. AFI’s planned request for explanations will concern the injury issues involving the athletes, their private training entities and their coaches.

No further details on the extent of either injury were provided. The immediate outcome at the Asian Games was that Yarraji did not contest the women’s 100m hurdles first-round heats and Chithravel could not continue in the triple jump competition.