Background
Vishal TK was born in Jolarpettai, Tirupattur district, Tamil Nadu, on December 17, 2003, and came into athletics through school sprinting before moving from the 100m and 200m to the 400m in 2024. He developed rapidly after making the switch and won 400m gold at the 2025 Federation Cup. Vishal later became an Asian Championships medallist in both the mixed and men’s 4x400m relays. He holds the Indian 400m record of 44.98 seconds.
Breakthrough and records
His breakthrough came at the Federation Cup in Ranchi in 2026, where he ran 44.98 seconds in the 400m — becoming the first Indian to break the 45-second barrier. He also holds the Indian national record of 45.12 seconds, set in Chennai in 2025.
Current season
The 2026 season began with a 44.98-second national-record run in the 400m at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi. He later won the 400m at the Indian Athletics Final Series in New Delhi in 45.36 seconds, after also competing over 200m during the season. The national record has established his current benchmark. He is now preparing for the 400m at the Asian Games in September.
In their own words
“First Indian to run sub-45s… I am very happy, I am in the history books.” — Vishal TK, speaking to NNIS Sports, May 2025, after clocking a historic 44.98s in the men’s 400m at the Federation Cup. The run made him the first Indian to break the 45-second barrier in the event.
