Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi | Day 1 | May 22, 2026 | 18:00 IST
Indian hammer throw has been a quiet event for a long time. But in 2026, the silence has been shattered — and a 21-year-old from Punjab may be about to make history.
The Men’s Hammer Throw final at Federation Cup 2026 gets underway on Day 1 at 18:00 IST in Ranchi, and all signs point to a landmark evening for one of athletics’ most underappreciated disciplines. With Commonwealth Games qualification on the line and a national record within striking distance, the throwing circle at Birsa Munda Stadium could be the site of something truly special.
Damneet Singh: A Decade in the Making
The name on everyone’s lips is Damneet Singh. Earlier this season, the young thrower launched the hammer to a stunning 70.64m — a lifetime best that sent shockwaves through Indian athletics for more than one reason.
It was the best throw by an Indian in ten years. It was the first time an Indian had crossed the 70-metre barrier in a decade. And it missed the national record by a mere nine centimetres.
That national record — 70.73m, set by Neeraj Kumar back in 2016 — has gathered dust for the better part of a decade. Damneet has now brought it back into conversation in the most dramatic fashion possible. He didn’t creep up on it. He arrived within a whisker of it on what was effectively a season-opener, signalling that he is not just in form — he is in the form of his life.
To put 70.64m in context: hammer throwing is a technically brutal event that demands years of refinement. Breaking through 70 metres as an Indian athlete is rare. Doing it out of nowhere, in 2026, after a ten-year drought at that level, makes Damneet’s achievement all the more remarkable. Federation Cup gives him the ideal platform — national championship atmosphere, elite competition, and everything to throw for.
The National Record Is in Sight
At just nine centimetres from Neeraj Kumar’s 2016 mark, Damneet Singh will know that the national record is not just a distant dream — it is a realistic target on a good day. Competition has a way of drawing out performances that training cannot, and if Damneet is firing in Ranchi, the record could finally fall after a decade of waiting.
Ashish Jakhar: The Pressure from Behind
Damneet will not have it easy. Ashish Jakhar has been equally impressive this season, recording a personal best of 68.09m — the second-best throw by an Indian in 2026. Jakhar’s presence ensures this is not a one-man show. He is firmly in the hunt for the Commonwealth Games 2026 qualification mark of 69.12m, and a competitive rivalry between the two could push both athletes to their limits.
Commonwealth Games or Bust
The qualification mark of 69.12m hangs over this contest like a golden carrot. Damneet has already cleared it with room to spare. Jakhar will be targeting it with intent. Whether one or both athletes punch their tickets to the Commonwealth Games on Thursday evening adds a layer of urgency that transforms this from a domestic final into something with genuine international consequence.
Indian hammer throw is back. Ranchi, brace yourself.
Federation Cup 2026 runs from May 22–25 at Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi.
Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi | Federation Cup 2026 | May 22–25, 2026
In what is a timely piece of good news for Indian athletics, 21-year-old javelin thrower Shivam Lohakare has been officially confirmed for the Federation Cup 2026 in Ranchi — after a bureaucratic glitch had threatened to keep him out of the competition entirely.
A Registration Mishap, Swiftly Resolved
Lohakare’s name was conspicuously absent from the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) initial athlete list for the Federation Cup, raising alarm among those who had been following the young thrower’s promising start to the season. The reason, it emerged, was mundane but frustrating — an online payment issue during the registration process had resulted in his entry not being processed. Thankfully, the matter has since been resolved, and Lohakare is now officially in the draw for the men’s javelin event. It would have been a cruel blow had a technical glitch denied one of India’s brightest young throwers a shot at the national stage.
A Season Already Making Noise
The timing of his confirmation makes it all the more exciting. Lohakare arrived at Federation Cup on the back of a stunning season-opener that left the athletics community sitting up and taking notice. At the Open Throws meet, he launched a lifetime best of 81.08m to claim the title — an emphatic statement from a 21-year-old who is clearly stepping into a new bracket of performance.
Crossing the 80-metre barrier is a significant milestone in javelin throwing, one that separates serious competitors from the elite. For Lohakare to do it at the very first meet of the season signals not just physical readiness, but a maturity and composure beyond his years. He is no longer just a prospect — he is a contender.
Into the Fire: Sachin Yadav and Rohit Yadav Await
The Federation Cup will be no gentle introduction to the big stage. Lohakare will line up alongside established names including Sachin Yadav and Rohit Yadav, two of India’s most experienced and decorated javelin throwers. Competing against such elite company at a national championship will be a stern examination of where Lohakare truly stands — and, if his 81.08m opener is anything to go by, he may well have an answer ready on the runway.
One to Watch
India’s javelin pipeline has rarely looked this healthy, and Lohakare’s emergence adds yet another exciting dimension to a fiercely competitive men’s event. At 21, with a lifetime best already beyond 81 metres and a national championship appearance now secured, the trajectory is steep and the ceiling high.
After almost being denied his moment by a payment glitch, Shivam Lohakare will step onto the Ranchi runway with something to prove — and the arm to prove it.
Federation Cup 2026 runs from May 22–25 at Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi.
Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi | May 22, 2026 | 18:00 IST
The stage is set. The runway is ready. And six of India’s finest long jumpers are primed to take flight.
The Women’s Long Jump event at the Federation Cup 2026 promises to be one of the most compelling track and field contests of the domestic calendar year. Scheduled for Day 1 of the meet at Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, the event gets underway at 18:00 IST — and with the Commonwealth Games qualification mark looming large, the stakes could not be higher.
Ancy Sojan: The Woman in Form
All eyes will be on Ancy Sojan, who arrives in Ranchi as India’s in-form long jumper and the current national season leader. Her 2026 season best of 6.54m, backed by a personal best of 6.71m, places her at the top of the domestic pecking order. Earlier this year, Ancy claimed a bronze medal at the Asian Indoor Championships — a performance that announced her intent and confirmed she is in the form of her life. She enters Federation Cup as the clear favourite, but she knows that resting on recent laurels is not an option.
Shaili Singh: The Perennial Contender
Hot on Ancy’s heels is Shaili Singh, arguably the most talented long jumper India has produced in a generation. With a personal best of 6.76m — the best in this field — Shaili is technically the athlete closest to the Commonwealth Games qualification mark. Her season best of 6.52m suggests she is still finding top gear, but when Shaili is on song, few in Asia can match her. A big performance in Ranchi would do wonders for her confidence ahead of a packed international season.
The Rest of the Field
The competition does not end there. Mubassina (PB/SB: 6.38m) and Pariksha (PB/SB: 6.10m) both come in with their personal bests also serving as their season bests, meaning they have room to grow — and surprise. Bhavani Yadav (SB: 6.27m, PB: 6.44m) and Sherin (SB: 6.07m, PB: 6.45m) are experienced campaigners who cannot be written off, particularly in the charged atmosphere of a national championship.
The Commonwealth Games Shadow
Hovering over every jump will be the Commonwealth Games 2026 qualification standard of 6.84m — a mark that demands not just excellence, but history. To hit that standard, an Indian athlete would need to surpass Anju Bobby George’s national record of 6.83m, a mark that has stood for over two decades and remains one of Indian athletics’ most celebrated achievements. It is a mountain of a task, but Federation Cup provides the platform, the competition, and the motivation.
Whether or not the national record falls on Thursday evening, this promises to be a breathtaking contest between six athletes all chasing the same dream — to fly further than any Indian woman ever has.
Federation Cup 2026 runs from May 22–25 at Birsa Munda Stadium, Ranchi.
Indian triple jumper Selva Prabhu continued his remarkable 2026 season by winning gold in the men’s triple jump at the Big 12 Outdoor Track and Field Championships in the United States.
Representing Kansas State University, the 21-year-old produced a huge wind-aided jump of 17.19m (+4.6 m/s) to clinch the conference title against a strong collegiate field.
Although the mark will not count for record purposes due to the excessive tailwind, it once again highlighted the rapid rise of one of India’s most exciting young field event athletes.
Selva, who holds India’s U20 national record in triple jump, has been enjoying a breakthrough season on the American collegiate circuit. Earlier this year, he registered a lifetime best of 17.05m — the first legal 17m-plus jump of his career — while winning silver at the NCAA Indoor Championships, widely regarded as one of the toughest collegiate track and field competitions in the world.
The jump placed him among the leading Indian triple jumpers of his generation and strengthened his growing reputation internationally.
Apart from his success in triple jump, Selva has also shown improvement in the long jump this season, raising his personal best to 7.35m and underlining his all-round athletic ability.
The Big 12 Championships feature several of the strongest NCAA athletics programmes in the United States and regularly serve as a pathway for athletes progressing to global competition. For Selva, performing consistently at that level is another encouraging sign ahead of a crucial phase in Indian athletics.
Sherin Gafoor Breaches 6m Barrier for First Time This Season
In a competition that emphasized grit over record-breaking distances, Sherin Abdul Gafoor secured the women’s long jump title at the Indian Athletics Series-6. Competing at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Sherin recorded a season-best jump of 6.07m, making her the only athlete in the field to cross the 6-meter mark.
While 6.07m secured the gold today, it remains a conservative mark for an athlete of Sherin’s calibre. The 24-year-old Tamil Nadu jumper has a formidable pedigree, with a personal best of 6.46m set in 2024 at the Tamil Nadu Senior State Championships.
Sherin’s recent career has been a battle against resilience. After an injury-laden 2023 that limited her to just two competitions, she has been on a quest to rediscover the form that once made her a top-three jumper in the country. Her 6.07m today is a significant psychological milestone, marking the first time she has cleared 6 meters in the 2026 season—a clear sign that her physical conditioning is trending in the right direction.
Despite the win, the overall performance of the field was notably below par compared to the explosive marks seen earlier this year. To put today’s results in perspective, India’s top long jumpers have been operating at a much higher altitude this season:
- Ancy Sojan: 6.54m (Season Best)
- Shaili Singh: 6.52m (Season Best)
- Pavana Nagaraj: 6.47m (Season Best)
In comparison to these elite benchmarks, the 6.07m winning mark highlights a “defensive” day in the pit for the second-string field. Meryl Ann Mathew finished second with 5.85m, while Lakshanya S.N. took the bronze with 5.82m.
For Sherin Gafoor, the gold medal is a vital stepping stone. As a Master’s student at Loyola College and a former World Youth silver medalist, Sherin has the technical foundation to bridge the 40cm gap between her current form and the Asian Games qualifying standards.
Giridharani Ravikumar Blazes to Season-Best 11.51s
Chennai, TN – The women’s 100m sprint reached fever pitch at the Indian Athletics Series-6, as Tamil Nadu’s Giridharani Ravikumar delivered a masterclass in acceleration to clinch the title in 11.51s. The performance isn’t just a gold-medal run; it officially stands as India’s fastest time in the women’s 100m this season, reaffirming Ravikumar’s status as a top-tier contender on the road to the 2026 Asian Games.
Ravikumar, a 24-year-old national champion with a personal best of 11.36s (set in 2023), showed that her early-season form is peaking at exactly the right time. Having already won the opening leg of the series in Bengaluru with an 11.53s, she found another gear in the Chennai heat to shave off two-hundredths of a second and cement her position at the top of the national leaderboard.
While Ravikumar took the gold, the race was a tactical dogfight until the very end. Harita Bhadra, the reigning National Indoor Champion, opened her outdoor individual season with an explosive 11.55s. This mark is a massive lifetime best for Bhadra and currently ranks as the third-fastest time by an Indian woman this season. Bhadra’s transition from the indoor circuit to the 100m straight has been seamless, proving she has the top-end speed to challenge the traditional favorites.
The depth of the field was further showcased by Tamanna, who claimed the bronze medal with a lifetime best of 11.59s. A former Asian U20 Championships bronze medalist and a dominant force at the Khelo India Youth Games, Tamanna’s sub-11.60s performance marks her entry into the elite bracket of senior Indian sprinters. At just 21 years old, her progression suggests that the 4x100m relay pool is becoming deeper and more competitive than ever.
Triple Jump Triumph: Asha Ilango Soars to Season-Best Mark at Indian Series-6
The Indian triple jump circuit has a new frontrunner. Representing Tamil Nadu, Asha Ilango delivered a career-defining performance at Indian Series-6, shattering the 13m barrier for the first time with a massive leap of 13.52m. The mark not only secures her a lifetime best but also stands as the fastest and furthest jump in India this season, signaling her arrival as a major contender for the upcoming Interstate Championships.
Ilango’s progression has been steady, but this 13.52m leap represents a significant tactical breakthrough. By finding her rhythm on the runway, she managed to outclass a field that included seasoned champions and rising stars.
The competition in Sangrur also highlighted the incredible depth of India’s youth talent. Sadhana Ravi, only 18 years old, claimed the second spot on the podium. Ravi proved her mettle by clearing 13.02m, making her and Ilango the only two athletes in the field to breach the elusive 13m mark during this meet. Ravi, who has been consistently climbing the junior ranks, is quickly becoming a name that senior athletes can no longer afford to overlook.
Rounding out the podium was the reigning National Indoor Champion, Mallala Anusha. While Anusha fell just short of the 13m threshold with a best of 12.94m, her consistency remains a benchmark for the discipline.
There is a recurring nightmare in Indian sports that has nothing to do with podium finishes or doping scandals. It is the logistical humiliation of the journey home.
For the second time in recent history, a national-level pole vaulter has been forced to reach out to nnissports as a last resort, pleading for the dignity that their medals should have already bought them. In January 2026, it was Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar who faced a similar ordeal. Today, the victim is Kavin Raja, the 2026 U20 Federation Cup champion and the freshly minted gold medalist at the Indoor Nationals in Bhubaneswar.
The image is as jarring as it is shameful: A young man, having just conquered the vault in the U20 category, finds himself stranded for over 12 hours at Rajahmundry railway station. He isn’t alone; he is accompanied by fellow athletes and his primary tool of the trade—his poles.
The Ordeal at Rajahmundry
Pole vaulting is a sport of precision and expensive equipment. Yet, Kavin Raja was forced to navigate an overcrowded train where there was literally no space to breathe, let alone store 15-foot fiberglass poles. With no other option, the athletes tied the poles safely to the outside of the train window.
While the train was in motion, the situation turned from difficult to dangerous. Reports suggest that railway staff, who initially raised no concerns, later cut the ropes securing the equipment while the train was moving. It took an emergency chain pull by a fellow athlete to prevent the destruction of the gear—and a potential disaster on the tracks.
Critics and bureaucrats will undoubtedly hide behind the “Railways Manual,” arguing about luggage dimensions and safety protocols. They will say that poles are “oversized items” and that athletes should follow the bureaucratic labyrinth of freight booking.
But this raises a much larger, more haunting question: How do we actually treat our athletes?
We are a nation that erupts in collective euphoria when an athlete stands on a podium. We tweet our pride and drape them in garlands upon their return. But the reality between the “Gold” and the “Gala” is a grim one. Imagine the scenario: an athlete wins a national championship, represents the future of Indian track and field, and is then expected to be packed like sardines in a general compartment, guarding their life’s work against a system that treats them as a nuisance.
A Systemic Failure
If a musician travels with a cello or a photographer with a tripod, the world understands. Yet, our elite vaulters—the few who can actually clear five meters—are left to negotiate with unsympathetic station masters.
We cannot demand Olympic medals on one hand while allowing our champions to be stranded on railway platforms with their equipment tied to windows like an afterthought.
Kavin Raja’s story has been heard several times over. It is a story of a gold medalist treated like a trespasser. Until we fix the journey, we have no right to celebrate the destination.
If you have been in a similar situation or have more information on Kavin’s current status, DM us or write to us. This needs to change.
There are moments in sport when an athlete is not just competing against others, but against her own limits. Right now, Baranica Elangovan is doing exactly that.
Just a day after a national record in the men’s pole vault grabbed attention, Baranica made sure the spotlight stayed on the event. Competing at the Indian Indoor Open Combined Events and Pole Vault Competition in Kalinga Stadium, she improved her own national record by clearing 4.23m.
What makes this performance special is not just the number, but the way she built it. She started her competition calmly, clearing 3.90m and 3.95m without trouble. From there, she moved up with confidence, going past 4.00m and 4.10m on her very first attempts.
Then came the big moment.
At 4.23m, Baranica faced a real test. After two failed attempts, she had one last chance. With focus and composure, she got it right on her third try setting a new national record and once again proving her consistency at the highest level in India.
“I wasn’t really aiming for a record. I was focusing on my technique, but I’m happy I could improve the national record,” Baranica told NNIS Sports after breaking the national record.
This wasn’t a sudden breakthrough. Earlier this season, she had already cleared 4.10m at the Indian Open Jumps, crossing the qualification mark set by the Athletics Federation of India for the Asian Games. Since then, she has kept pushing forward, improving step by step.
Interestingly, she even attempted 4.30m after her record jump, showing that she is already thinking beyond her current mark. Though she couldn’t clear it this time, the intent was clear she is not done yet.
Bhubaneswar is quickly becoming her favourite stage. From winning gold at the National Indoor Championships to setting back-to-back national records, the city has turned into a place where she keeps getting better.
“All the work and preparation are geared toward the Federation Cup and Inter-State Championships. I’m preparing for the major competitions. As I said, I need to focus on my technique,” she added.
Baranica’s journey is a reminder that progress in athletics doesn’t always come in big leaps. Sometimes, it is about small improvements one centimetre at a time that slowly build something remarkable.
And right now, with every jump, she is raising not just the bar, but the expectations for Indian pole vault.
