Nitin Gupta delivered a stunning performance at the U20 Federation Cup, winning gold in the 5km race walk with a timing of 18:54.37. But this was not just another victory. It was a moment that changed the record books.
With this effort, Nitin broke his own national record and set a new Asian record. More importantly, he became the first Asian ever to go under 19 minutes in the U20 5km race walk, a mark that was once considered extremely difficult at this level.
This performance also secured his qualification for both the Asian U20 Championships and the World U20 Championships, placing him firmly among the top young race walkers in the world.
What makes this achievement even more impressive is the consistency he has shown. Earlier this year, in only his second competition of the season, Nitin clocked 41:44 in the 10km race walk at Chandigarh, showing strong early form.
His rise, however, did not begin this year.
In 2025, Nitin had already announced himself as a serious talent. At the Junior Federation Cup, he broke the national record in the 10km race walk with a brilliant 39:46.78, becoming the first Indian to go under 40 minutes. He bettered the previous record held by Amit Khatri.
That same year, he also made his mark on the international stage. At the Asian U-18 Championships, Nitin won silver in the 5km race walk, clocking 20:21.51 and missing gold by just 0.01 seconds in a close finish.
His 2025 season was full of milestones:
First Indian to go sub-20 minutes in U18 5km race walk.
U18 national record holder.
Gold medalist in 10km at Junior Federation Cup.
National record holder in 10km race walk.
Behind this rapid rise is a strong support system. Nitin trains under Basanta Bahadur Rana, one of India’s most respected race walking coaches, who has also guided top athletes like Ram Baboo and Servin Sebastian.
At a young age, Nitin Gupta is already setting new standards not just for India, but for Asia. His sub-19 run is more than a record; it is a sign that Indian race walking is moving into a new era.