'I feel bad when father sells milk': Javelin medallist says ‘searching for job’

Ashish Yadav, a 19-year-old javelin thrower, has achieved remarkable success in his young career. After moving from his village in Uttar Pradesh to Hisar to pursue his passion for javelin, the silver medallist in the World U-20 competition has become the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to win silver in the event. However, despite his accomplishments, Ashish's family continues to face financial hardships, with his father remaining the primary breadwinner by selling milk in their village.

Ashish himself admits to feeling bad about his father's role in selling milk, stating that he is actively searching for a job to support his family. Despite his efforts, he has yet to secure employment, causing his family's financial situation to remain unchanged since his move to Hisar. To improve his performance and contribute to his family's income, Ashish has been training rigorously under the guidance of coach Arvind Kumar.

The coach's teachings have helped him significantly enhance his throw, increasing it by nearly 20 metres, and he has also gained weight from 68kg to 85kg due to better nutrition and strength training.

Looking ahead, Ashish aims to cross the 80m mark within the next one or two years, inspired by the achievements of his idol, Neeraj Chopra. He acknowledges that although he has not yet met Neeraj, he is proud of Chopra's accomplishments and hopes that people in his village will take notice of his own success. Ashish remains focused on his goal, determined to strengthen his body, refine his technique, and compete in national and international events.

He understands that each competition provides valuable insights into his weaknesses and deficiencies, motivating him to work harder and strive for improvement.