The Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi witnessed a sparse crowd on Saturday (April 11) for the Delhi-leg of the Indian Athletics Series, where top track and field athletes in the country gathered to kick off a season that promises to be crucial.
The high-capacity stadium has long been infamous for not filling up even during major competitions - partly due to its enormous size and partly because the national capital lacks a deep-rooted non-cricket sporting culture.
While the AFI's decision to pack all events into a single day could be questioned - with scope to split it across two - the Delhi weather, at least, played along. As the evening session unfolded, a few hundred spectators trickled in, and one event that naturally drew their attention
was the javelin throw.
For obvious reasons.
At the centre of it all was Sachin Yadav - the rising Indian javelin star who has steadily built a reputation as one to watch. The tall thrower from Uttar Pradesh, who also trains at the venue, was the cynosure of all eyes. Every time he stepped onto the runway, the crowd responded with loud cheers, while fellow competitors too enjoyed pockets of support.
But sport doesn't always follow sentiment.
Despite a strong showing, Sachin finished second with a throw of 81.95m, narrowly behind his state-mate Rohit Yadav, who topped the standings with 82.17m. It was a contest decided by fine margins - something Sachin is becoming all too familiar with.
At the World Athletics Championships last year, he missed out on a podium finish by just 40 centimetres, a result that continues to shape his mindset. There was a point in the competition where he was leading, raising expectations among the home crowd. But he remained grounded about the eventual result.
Speaking to myKhel after the event, Sachin reflected more on his approach than the outcome. "It's a competition, it's always up and down. If I didn't throw well today, it's okay," he said.
"I had a lot of thoughts, but I didn't compromise myself. I kept my confidence," he added.
What stood out for him was the growing depth in Indian javelin, with multiple athletes pushing beyond the 80m mark. "In India, the competition is very good. They are pushing us, and that's why we are improving," he said.
Yet, the introspection was immediate. Sachin openly spoke about the need to refine his body movement, run-up and overall rhythm - areas he believes can unlock more distance.
"Whatever I am lacking - the way I am not able to throw, run or move properly - I will work on that. I will focus on my body in the next competition," the 26-year-old noted.
The narrow gap in Delhi has only added to his motivation. "I keep thinking about it. I motivate myself to go ahead. I may have missed by a little, but I don't want to miss again," he said.
With the season just beginning, Sachin made it clear that his focus is on steady progress rather than immediate results.
"The target is very high. The day was not perfect, but I am not disappointed. I will do better in the next competition," the 6.5 feet tall said.
That next phase could see him in action at the National Senior Athletics Federation Cup, in Ranchi - a crucial meet that will serve as the final selection trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and a key qualifier for the Asian U23 Athletics Championships.
For Sachin Yadav, the season ahead is long, demanding and filled with opportunity. And if his words are anything to go by, he is not chasing distances alone - but consistency, clarity and control.
