The men’s 400m hurdles final at the 65th Interstate Athletics Championships 2026 produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the competition, as Palaksha Yashas and T. Santhosh crossed the finish line together in a breathtaking photo finish.
After a fiercely contested race, both athletes were credited with an identical time of *49.14 seconds*, underlining just how evenly matched they were over the full lap of hurdles. The razor-thin margin made for one of the highlights of the championships, with the winner determined only after the photo finish was reviewed.
The result carried even greater significance as *both Yashas and Santhosh comfortably breached the Asian Games qualification standard*, sealing their places for the continental showpiece with outstanding performances.
The race showcased the growing quality and depth in Indian men’s 400m hurdles, with two athletes pushing each other to exceptional times under pressure. Their head-to-head battle not only entertained the crowd but also demonstrated the rising standards in an event that has become one of India’s strongest on the track.
With both Palaksha Yashas and T. Santhosh securing qualification, India will head into the Asian Games with multiple contenders capable of competing at the highest level. Their thrilling duel at the Interstate Championships will be remembered as one of the standout races of the meet and a major boost for Indian athletics.