India’s rising javelin star Deepika continued her golden run in the junior circuit, clinching back-to-back gold medals at the National Junior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar on Monday.
The defending champion once again stamped her authority in the women’s U-20 javelin throw, producing a best effort of 54.16m a throw that not only secured her the top spot but also broke her own meet record from last year. It was a moment of pride and redemption for the 19-year-old from Bangaon, Haryana, a region often called the “Little Finland of Indian javelin,” known for producing a line of national-level throwers under the mentorship of coach Hanuman Singh.
Coming into the competition as the overwhelming favourite and U-20 national record holder, Deepika carried both pressure and expectation. Her first attempt was a steady opener around the 50m mark, but she made her intentions clear in the second round, sending the spear soaring to 54.16m enough to surpass her previous meet record of 52.54m set in 2024.
That throw stood as the best mark of the day, well ahead of the rest of the field, reaffirming Deepika’s dominance in the junior category. None of the other competitors managed to breach the 50m barrier, highlighting the gap between the champion and her challengers.
From Early Setback to Strong Comeback
Deepika’s latest triumph caps off what has been a year of steady progression a testament to her resilience and growing maturity as an athlete. The start of 2025 had not gone as planned. At the National Games, she narrowly missed the podium, finishing fourth in a disappointing outing that tested her mental strength. But she turned things around with grit and consistency. At the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet, she won bronze against a strong field, marking her first international podium finish of the year. That result provided both confidence and momentum heading into the domestic season.
Her upward trajectory continued at the Inter-State Athletics Championships, where she threw a personal best of 57.19m surpassing her previous best of 56.41m set at the Indian Open in Sangrur. Later, she capped off her senior season with gold at the National Open Athletics Championships, demonstrating her ability to transition seamlessly between age categories.
What makes Deepika’s story remarkable is not just her string of results, but the steady progression in her performance graph. In just two seasons, she has evolved from a promising junior into a legitimate national prospect someone who could soon be in contention for senior international honours. Her technique has refined noticeably under the guidance of her coaching team in Haryana. Deepika’s release mechanics once her weakest point have improved dramatically, allowing her to maintain better flight trajectory and control. Her throws now combine both power and precision, evident in her consistent 54–57m range across competitions in 2025.
“She’s still only 19, but her work ethic is exceptional,” said a federation official at the meet. “What stands out about Deepika is not just her distance but her composure. She doesn’t lose focus even after a poor start, and that’s rare at this age.”
Deepika’s success continues the proud tradition of Bangaon a village that has produced several elite javelin throwers over the past decade. Often dubbed “India’s Javelin Factory,” the village has become synonymous with raw throwing talent and disciplined coaching. Athletes from the Hanuman Singh academy in Bangaon are known for their power training routines and mental toughness traits that have clearly rubbed off on Deepika. Her rapid rise has inspired several young girls in the region to take up the sport, breaking old barriers in the process.
With another record and gold medal added to her growing collection, Deepika’s next challenge will be transitioning smoothly into the senior circuit, where competition is fierce and distances are higher. Her personal best of 57.19m already places her among the top emerging throwers in the country, and the goal now will be to consistently cross the 58m mark a benchmark that would bring her closer to international qualification standards.
For now, though, Bhubaneswar belonged to Deepika the girl who turned a difficult start to the year into another golden chapter. A champion in form, a record-breaker in spirit, and a name that continues to rise with every throw.
Final Result (Women’s U-20 Javelin Throw): Deepika (Haryana) – 54.16m (New Meet Record)
