# AFI to probe Jyothi Yarraji, Praveen Chithravel pullouts at Asian Games 2026-09-26T16:46:38+00:00 | Sports | Indian Opinion Desk Corroboration: 3 independent outlets India's medal hopes in women's 100m hurdles suffered a blow on Saturday when silver medallist Jyothi Yarraji did not start her first-round heat at the Asian Games in Nagoya. Yarraji felt pain during warm-up and was withdrawn. Triple jumper Praveen Chithravel also pulled out after one foul jump, clutching his calf. Both athletes had been cleared at the last minute despite carrying injuries. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has said it will conduct an inquiry into the withdrawals. AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla told The Hindu that coaches had repeatedly assured the federation the athletes were fine. Sources told PTI that the AFI will seek explanations from the private entities under which the two athletes train. Yarraji had returned to competition this year after ACL surgery in July 2025. Nandhini Kongan kept India in contention in the women's 100m hurdles by qualifying for the final, finishing fourth in her heat in 13.48 seconds. Animesh Kujur qualified for the men's 200m final after clocking 20.81 seconds in his semifinal. ## Indian Opinion Analysis Times of India reported the pullouts as a straightforward injury setback, quoting an AFI official. The Hindu led with AFI's anger and promise of an inquiry, framing the withdrawals as unacceptable after athlete assurances. NDTV's syndicated copy highlighted that AFI would seek answers from private training entities. The coverage is uniform in facts but differs in emphasis: TOI stays on the track result, while The Hindu foregrounds accountability. What to watch is the inquiry's outcome and whether it changes India's athlete management protocols. The coverage is uniform in facts but differs in emphasis: Times of India reports the withdrawals as an injury setback, while The Hindu leads with AFI's demand for accountability. NDTV's syndicated copy adds the focus on private training entities. The central question is whether the athletes were pushed to compete despite known injuries. ## Coverage - timesofindia.indiatimes.com (neutral report) Leads with race results and injury fact, no blame. - thehindu.com (government critical) Leads with AFI anger and demand for inquiry, implies mismanagement. - sports.ndtv.com (neutral report) Syndicated wire copy, focuses on AFI seeking explanations from private entities. Tags: Asian Games, Athletics Federation of India, Jyothi Yarraji, Nagoya, Praveen Chitravel Canonical: https://indianopinion.org/afi-orders-inquiry-as-jyothi-yarraji-pulls-out-of-asian-games-hurdles/ License: Summary and commentary (c) Indian Opinion, reusable with attribution. Facts belong to the linked sources. Cite: https://indianopinion.org/afi-orders-inquiry-as-jyothi-yarraji-pulls-out-of-asian-games-hurdles/#story-in-brief