Asian Athletics Championship - 1977

Athletes have always been an integral part of civilized communities. 

Be it weightlifting, running etc., and so on, people have always thronged sporting events to spectate their desired sport. 

The sheer excitement and frenzy accompanying such events enliven the atmosphere, goading the athletes onto greater physical feats.

The same is true for the Asian Athletics Championship.

The schedule is ready, and so are the athletes for the much-awaited biannual Asian Athletics Championship 2023 in Pattaya, Thailand, from July 12-16. 

Although the Asian Athletics Championship is biannual, the previous one was in 2018. The one scheduled for 2020 was called off, and the Championships of 2022 were postponed to the following year because of Covid19.

Sports enthusiasts eagerly await the major sporting event showcasing athletic stars from all over Asia as over 500 athletes from 31 countries participate and compete for glory, fame and national pride.

Table of Contents

• Opening Ceremony
• Details
• History
• Important Facts
• Theme
• Tickets
• Top Participants
• Schedule
• 25th Edition

Opening Ceremony

Extravagance and extensive media coverage are the norms for sporting events today. And the 16th Asian Athletics Championship left no stone unturned.

Thunderous firecrackers and drum beats accompanied the inaugural by Incheon Mayor Ahn Sang-Soo in a stadium with 25,000 enthusiasts.

The North Korean contingent received roaring applause as they marched past, and the audience cheered the Expression of solidarity between North and South Korea as Lee Bong Joo, a marathon runner from South Korea, joined Han Bong Sil, a long-distance runner from North Korea to light the Asian Athletics Championship torch.

Lee Hae-Chan, the Prime Minister of Korea, Suresh Kamadi, the President of the Asian Athletic Association and Lamine Diak, the IAAF president,  presided at the opening ceremony of the Asian Athletics Championship.

At the occasion, Mr Kalamadi promised the crowd that the junior participants would have more competing opportunities.

He hinted at including the Asian All-stars meet, the Asian Indoors championship and much more. Check the table below for the list of dignitaries who attended the opening ceremony of the 10th Asian Athletic Championship. 

 Athletes will compete in 26 athletic disciplines, which are as follows:

• Running
• Throwing
• Jumping etc., and so on

Details

Asian Athletics Outdoor Championships - Details

Asian Athletics Indoor Championships - Details

History  

 The Asian Athletics Championship is the brainchild of the Chief of the Indonesian Federation PASI, Major General Aziz Salleh.

The initial proposal for the same was in 1962.

Still, due to the failure of the Games of Emerging Forces (GANEFO),  idealistic athletic control, improper planning, instability in 1970, etc., the first Asian Track and Field Championships was held in November 1973 at the Marikina Stadium near Manila.

The credit for the Asian Athletic Champion's successful launch goes to the President of the Philippines Track and Field Association (PATAFA), Governor Jose C. Sering.

Subsequently, he became the Asian Amateur Athletic Association's (AAA) first president, and Mr Maurice R. Nicholas of Singapore took charge as the first secretary-general of the AAA.

The rules and constitution were formulated and endorsed during the first Asian Track and Field Championships.

The organisers of AAA presented the same for a consensus at the 29th Congress of the International Amateur Athletic Federation in Rome in 1974, and that's where it was accepted.

Important Facts  

The next Asian Athletics Championship was scheduled for 2020, but it was cancelled because of Covid-19 and was held after 3 years in the region of Astana, Kazakhstan.

Check the table for interesting facts about the Asian Athletic championship.   

Theme

It is an event to encourage Asian players and showcase Asian talent in Athletics to the world. The theme, therefore, depends on the host country and is generally an exhibition of their culture and history.

Bhubaneswar in Odisha hosted the 22nd Asian Athletics Championship on July 5 2017, when 500 artists performed at the opening ceremony.

The performance focused on projecting Odisha's magnificent history, legacy, civilisation, and Buddhist link with other countries.

Since Buddhism was passed on to countries like Sri Lanka and Thailand from India,  Thousand Hand, a dancing troupe from Thailand, was also included in the performance, and their dance form showcases the connection. 

Tickets

The athletes undergo vigorous tests and training in the 5 months before the Asian Athletic Championship.

That ensures the best performance of their skills, and thus, sports enthusiasts throng to the stadium to watch the event live amidst ardent fans. 

The atmosphere is electrifying and worth every pie you spend on the tickets, and they are now on sale.

Top Participants 

Here are some athletes who performed best at the Asian Athletic Championship. 

Tajinderpal Singh Toor 

A farmer by birth switched his career path from cricket to Shot Put on the insistence of his father is now the gold medalist in Shot Put at the recently held Asian Athletic Championship.

He put up a brilliant show at the recently concluded Indoor Asian Athletics championship with a record shot put throw of 19.49m.

Neeraj Chopra

Olympic champion and India's track and field star Neeraj Chopra is an Olympic gold medalist and a diamond league champion in the Javelin throw.

At the  2022 World Athletics Championship, Chopra won the silver medal with a Javelin throw of 88.13m.

Swapna Barman

Indian heptathlete Swapna Barman hails from a modest background and is India's golden girl.

She struck gold by securing 1st place at the 2018 Asian Games and 2017 Asian Athletics Championships, and she won a silver medal at the  Asian  Athletic Championship in Astana.

 Praveen Chithravel 

The record-breaking performance of Praveen Chithravel at the Indoor Asian Athletic Championship got him the silver medal. Chithravel is a triple jumper from India who has been doing exceptionally well throughout the year.

He clocked a jump of 16.98m to win the silver medal.

Schedule 

It has been a long wait to witness the Asian Athletics Championship. The desire to cheer your favourite athlete is real. Check the schedule so that you will not miss a single event.

25th Edition

The 25th edition of the Asian Athletics Championships witnessed a remarkable performance by India on the second day of the event. India shone brightly, securing three gold medals and two bronze medals, showcasing their talent and determination.

One of the standout moments of the championships came in the women's 100m hurdles, where Jyothi Yarraji made history by becoming the first Indian athlete to clinch the top podium finish in this event at the continental showpiece. Jyothi's exceptional performance not only brought her personal glory but also brought immense pride to the nation.

The victory in the women's 100m hurdles exemplified Jyothi Yarraji's skill, speed, and dedication. She displayed flawless technique and swift footwork, leaving her opponents trailing behind. With her incredible achievement, Jyothi has set a new benchmark for Indian hurdlers, inspiring young athletes across the country to dream big and work hard to achieve their goals.

Asian Athletics Championships marks a momentous occasion for athletes, nations, and sports enthusiasts across the continent. The event showcase exceptional talent, fierce competition, and the spirit of sportsmanship among participants.

Throughout the championships, athletes push their boundaries, shatter records, and display immense skill and determination. It is a platform where dreams are realized, history is made, and new stars emerge. The 25th edition of the championships witnessed India's remarkable performance, with athletes securing gold and bronze medals, engraving their names in the list of the top Asian athletics.

Players from several countries in Asia will be participating in the next Championship. The competition will be tough, and the Asian Athletic Championships is sure to be a spectacular sporting event displaying the skills of some of the best athletes in Asia.

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