Irina Kharun (2026) - Indiana University Athletics Hall of Fame

Irina Kharun

Induction:
2026
Class:
2003

Irina Kharun started her IU career as a member of both the Track and Field and Women's Tennis programs, but the native of Kharkiv, Ukraine, quickly turned her attention to track, where she remains one of the most decorated athletes in program history. She captured the NCAA title in the javelin in 2003 with an NCAA and collegiate record throw of 61.82m (202-10), a mark that stood for 17 years. She also remains one of only two IU female student-athletes to win an NCAA Outdoor Championship title alongside fellow Hall of Famer Katrin Koch. Kharun had three top-10 NCAA finishes in the javelin and secured Big Ten titles in the event in 2001 and 2003. Her successes extended to the international stage as well, as she earned a silver medal as the runner-up at the European U-23 Championships in the javelin in 2003.