After some of the best-ever performances at the Junior Federation Cup 2026, 50 athletes have been selected to represent India at the U20 Asian Athletics Championships 2026, scheduled to be held in Hong Kong from May 28 to May 31, 2026.

All 50 athletes will attend a 19-day preparatory camp at SAI Bengaluru, approved under SAI’s Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS).

Athletes selected along with their events:

  1. Rudra Shinde – 200m / 4x100m
  2. Mohammed Ashfaq – 400m, 4x400m, 4x400m Mixed Relay
  3. Piyush Raj – 400m, 4x400m, 4x400m Mixed Relay
  4. Mogali Reddy – 800m
  5. Sandeep Yadav – 3000m
  6. Vikas Kumar – 3000m
  7. Nikhil C – 3000m Steeplechase
  8. Kiran K – 110m Hurdles
  9. Jashanpreet Singh – 400m Hurdles
  10. Amit Kumar – 400m Hurdles
  11. Nitin Gupta – 5000m Race Walk
  12. Tushar Panwar – 5000m Race Walk
  13. Basant – High Jump
  14. Shahnawaz Khan – Long Jump
  15. Jithin Arjunan R.C – Long Jump
  16. Royshan P – Triple Jump
  17. Nishchay – Discus Throw
  18. Ravi – Discus Throw
  19. Ashvendra Pratap Singh – Hammer Throw
  20. Aman – Hammer Throw
  21. Ashish Yadav – Javelin Throw
  22. Rishabh Giri – Javelin Throw
  23. Upkar – Decathlon
  24. Jakhar Rahul – Decathlon
  25. Anshu Rajak – 4x100m Relay
  26. Aditya Pisal – 4x100m Relay
  27. J Krishna – 4x100m Relay
  28. Mehebubul Ahamed – 4x100m Relay
  29. Ranjith Kumar S – 4x400m Relay
  30. Sayed Sabeer – 4x400m Relay
  31. Nakul Prabhu – 4x400m Relay
  32. Abhay Kumar Dubey – 4x400m Relay
  33. Nipam – 100m / 4x100m Relay
  34. Bhoomika Nehate – 200m / 4x400m Relay / 4x400m Mixed Relay
  35. Aarti – 200m / 4x100m Relay
  36. Neeru Pathak – 400m / 4x400m Relay / 4x400m Mixed Relay
  37. Tahura Khatun – 400m / 4x400m Relay / 4x400m Mixed Relay
  38. Muskan – 5000m
  39. Mansi Yadav – 3000m Steeplechase
  40. Aisha Verma – 3000m Steeplechase
  41. Pooja – High Jump
  42. Sadhana Ravi – Triple Jump
  43. Amanat Kamboj – Discus Throw
  44. Poonam – Javelin Throw
  45. Bhavana G – 4x100m Relay
  46. Kajal Hirabhai – 4x100m Relay
  47. Rujula Bhonsle – 4x100m Relay
  48. Sehnoor Bawa – 4x400m Relay / 4x400m Mixed Relay
  49. Kavita – 4x400m Relay / 4x400m Mixed Relay
  50. Mehardeep Kaur – 4x400m Relay / 4x400m Mixed Relay

Athletics Integrity Unit’s Disciplinary Tribunal has banned Kenyan athlete Hillary Kipchirchir Chepkwony for four years, effective from 8 December 2025, for the Use of a Prohibited Substance/Method in an Athlete Biological Passport (ABP) case. His results from 24 August 2024 onwards have been disqualified.

On 8 December 2025, the AIU served a Notice of Charge on the athlete under Rule 2.2 of the 2025 Anti-Doping Rules (ADR), relating to the Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method.

Between 20 September 2022 and 2 January 2025, 17 blood samples were collected from the athlete as part of the World Athletics Athlete Biological Passport programme.

The Joint Expert Panel identified abnormalities in blood samples collected on 24 August 2024 and 29 August 2024, referred to as “Sample 14” and “Sample 15”. In its unanimous opinion dated 12 May 2025, the panel stated it was “highly likely” that the athlete’s passport profile was the result of the Use of a Prohibited Substance or Prohibited Method, specifically blood doping, and “unlikely” to be caused by any other factor.

The athlete disputed the findings and denied the charge. On 22 December 2025, he requested that the matter be heard before the Disciplinary Tribunal.

The Disciplinary Tribunal, constituted under Rule 1.3 of the 2025 ADR, has jurisdiction to hear Anti-Doping Rule Violations involving international-level athletes. The athlete did not challenge the application of the ADR, nor the jurisdiction of the AIU or the Tribunal.

Chepkwony, who is managed by Global Sports Communications, becomes the fourth athlete associated with the Ineos 1:59 Challenge and/or coach Patrick Sang to receive a doping ban. Sang is best known for coaching Eliud Kipchoge and Faith Kipyegon to world records.

Ethiopian marathon runner Yebrguall Melese has died at the age of 36, the Ethiopian Athletics Federation confirmed in a statement expressing shock and sorrow over her sudden passing.

According to the federation, Melese died while on a regular training run as she prepared for upcoming competitions, including the Ottawa Marathon in Canada. The federation described her as a “hero athlete” and extended condolences to her family, friends, and the wider athletics community.

Melese had competed as recently as last month at the Paris Marathon, where she did not finish the race. Over a long and distinguished career, she represented Ethiopia at several international events and established herself as one of the country’s leading distance runners.

One of her biggest achievements came at the 2015 Chicago Marathon, where she finished second against a world-class field. She also claimed victories at the Shanghai, Prague, and Houston marathons, while winning the Paris Half Marathon twice and the Lisbon Half Marathon once.

Melese earned a bronze medal in the half marathon at the 2015 All-African Games in Brazzaville, Congo, adding another major international medal to her résumé.

In 2018, she recorded her personal best marathon time of 2:19:36, placing her among the fastest Ethiopian women of her generation. Known for her consistency and strength across the marathon circuit, Melese built a respected career over more than a decade in elite road racing.

Her death has sent shockwaves through the athletics community, particularly in Ethiopia, a nation with a rich tradition of long-distance running. Tributes have continued to pour in from athletes, fans, and officials remembering her achievements and contribution to the sport.

Kenyan distance runner Kibiwott Kandie has been issued a Notice of Charge by the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU), with an additional allegation of “Tampering or Attempted Tampering with Doping Control.” The charge comes on top of an earlier accusation of “Evading, Refusing or Failing to Submit to Sample Collection.”

Kandie, 28, is one of Kenya’s most accomplished road runners. He shot to global prominence in 2020 when he set a half-marathon world record of 57:32 in Valencia, becoming the first athlete to break the 58-minute barrier over the distance. He also won silver at the 2020 World Half Marathon Championships and claimed bronze in the 10,000m at the 2022 Commonwealth Games.

The AIU has not yet released detailed information regarding the latest tampering allegation or a timeline for disciplinary proceedings. Kandie remains provisionally suspended while investigations continue.

With the conclusion of the Indian Open Series 5 in Sangrur and Series 6 in Chennai, the domestic calendar ahead of the 2026 Federation Cup is now complete.

Eleven national-level competitions have been held so far this season, offering a strong indication of the form athletes are carrying into the Federation Cup — a meet that will double up as the selection trials for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.

At the start of the season, several Commonwealth Games qualification standards appeared daunting on paper. But the performances delivered across the domestic circuit in recent weeks have shifted that perception, with a growing number of Indian athletes showing they are capable not just of meeting the marks, but competing at a far higher level.

1. Men’s 110m Hurdles

India’s 110m hurdles national record holder Tejas Shirse made a sensational return after missing most of the season due to injury, clocking 13.43s — India’s all-time second-fastest performance, just 0.02s shy of his own national record.

Alongside him, Krishik M produced a massive lifetime best, moving to India’s all-time No. 2 in the event rankings. Both athletes breached the Asian Games qualification standard and narrowly missed the Commonwealth Games qualification mark by just 0.04s and 0.05s, respectively.

Their timings currently rank as the fourth and fifth best in Asia this season.

2. Murali Sreeshankar – Long Jump

Murali Sreeshankar clinched the long jump title at the Indian Open Series-6 with a best attempt of 8.04m. This was his third competition of the season, where he has consecutively crossed the 8m mark, with a season best of 8.15m.

Looking at his current form, breaching the Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 8.05m looks well within reach.

3. Men’s High Jump

After Sarvesh’s historic 6th-place finish at the 2025 World Championships, where he registered a lifetime best of 2.28m — India’s all-time second-best height — he has had a relatively slow start to this season but still managed a season best clearance of 2.23m.

On the other hand, Tejaswin Shankar cleared an impressive 2.26m this season, while Aadarsh Ram stole the spotlight at Indian Series-6 by clearing 2.27m, the third-highest mark ever by an Indian high jumper.

This was another consecutive personal best for Aadarsh. After clearing 2.23m in his previous competition, he improved further with successful jumps of 2.24m and 2.27m. Aadarsh had earlier begun his season by clinching silver at the 2026 Asian Indoor Championships.

With three athletes looking in strong form, the Commonwealth Games qualification mark of 2.22m now appears comfortably achievable, and India can even dream of a podium finish. Notably, Tejaswin Shankar won bronze at the previous edition.

4. Men’s 400m Hurdles

At Indian Series-6, something remarkable happened as India’s current top three 400m hurdlers all went sub-50s in the same race.

For the first time ever, three Indian athletes clocked sub-50s in a single 400m hurdles race.

Santhosh T, Yashas Palaksha and Jabir Madari finished first, second and third respectively with timings of:

  • Santhosh T – 49.47s
  • Yashas Palaksha – 49.64s
  • Jabir Madari – 49.93s

All three athletes also breached the Commonwealth Games qualification standard.

This is only the second time in history that three Indians have gone sub-50s in the same season, with the previous occasion also coming in 2023, featuring the same trio.

Notably, Ruchit Mori had clinched last season’s Interstate title with 49.76s, while Subash Das and Murad Sirman registered season bests of 50.93s and 50.98s, respectively, at the meet.

5. Men’s Pole Vault

Pole vault has traditionally been an event where India lagged behind at the continental level, but over the past few years, Indian vaulters have shown tremendous progress.

Dev Meena, who broke the national record three times last season with clearances of 5.32m, 5.35m and 5.40m, equalled the national record again this season.

Meanwhile, his training partner Kuldeep Yadav, making a comeback from injury, cleared 5.41m to set a new national record.

Another athlete making waves is Reegan Ganesh, who cleared 5.30m to win the men’s pole vault title at Indian Series-6 in Chennai. This was the third time he crossed 5.30m this season and the first time he achieved the mark outdoors.

He also attempted the 5.45m national record and came agonisingly close to clearing it on his final attempt.

M Gowtham finished second with 5.10m, while Ram Ratan secured third place with 5.00m.

With the Commonwealth Games qualification mark set at 5.25m, the current form of Indian pole vaulters makes that height look increasingly attainable.

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.

 

Veteran M.R. Poovamma Commands Chennai Track

The quarter-mile remains the territory of the experienced. At the Indian Athletics Series-6 held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai, veteran Olympian M.R. Poovamma Raju rolled back the years to clinch the women’s 400m title, clocking a commanding season-best of 53.38s.

Poovamma, a two-time Asian Games gold medalist in the relay, has shown remarkable resilience this season. After a bronze-medal finish at the Indian Open 400m in Thiruvananthapuram earlier this year (53.61s), she found an extra gear in the humid Chennai heat. Her performance is a significant indicator for India’s relay prospects, proving that the 33-year-old remains a cornerstone of the national 4x400m pool.

While the veteran took the gold, the story of the race was Ansa Babu. Finishing a close second, Babu registered a lifetime best of 53.50s, marking the first time in her career she has dipped under the 54-second barrier. Representing the Police Sports Control Board, Babu’s rapid progression—improving on her 54.01s from March—puts her firmly in the conversation for a spot in the primary national relay squad.

Rounding out the podium was Vijayakumari G.K., who clocked 53.58s. A consistent performer who also stood on the podium in Thiruvananthapuram, Vijayakumari continues to provide the depth that makes the Indian women’s 400m field one of the most competitive in Asia.

Perhaps the most encouraging sign for the AFI and the relay coaches was the return of Subha Venkatesan. The Tokyo Olympian and Asian Games medalist, who hails from Tiruchirappalli, finally opened her 2026 season on home soil. Winning her heat with a time of 54.80s, Venkatesan looked smooth and controlled. For an athlete who has battled through injuries and intense competition, this season opener is a vital first step toward regaining the sub-52s form that once made her an indispensable part of India’s mixed and women’s relay teams.

 

 Pranav Gurav Blazes to India’s Third-Fastest Time of the Season

The battle for the title of India’s fastest man intensified at the Indian Athletics Series-6 in Chennai, as Pranav Pramod Gurav delivered a career-defining performance in the 100m sprint. Representing Reliance, Gurav clocked a blistering 10.32s, not only clinching the gold but also registering the third-fastest time by an Indian this season.

Gurav’s victory is a testament to his rapid development within the high-performance ecosystem. This 10.32s mark is just shy of his personal best of 10.27s set last year, proving that the 24-year-old is finding his peak rhythm just as the international calendar begins to heat up.

Securing the silver medal was Odisha’s Lalu Prasad Bhoi, who made a statement in his first outdoor individual race of the year. Bhoi clocked 10.42s, a solid season opener that mirrors his consistency from 2024, where he famously clocked a 10.34s. Known for his explosive start, Bhoi’s transition from indoor training to the Chennai heat suggests he will be a major threat at the upcoming National Inter-State Championships.

The podium was completed by the reigning U20 Federation Cup champion, Abhay Singh. Fresh off a historic “sprint double” at the National Junior Championships in Tumkur—where he shattered the national junior 200m record with a time of 20.82s—Abhay proved he can hold his own against the senior elite. He finished third in 10.47s, further cementing his status as India’s most exciting sprint prospect.

With three sprinters dipping well below the 10.50s mark, the 100m final in Chennai served as a reminder of the rising depth in Indian sprinting. As Gurav leads the pack with a season-best, the pressure is now on the rest of the field to respond before the Asian circuit kicks into high gear. For Reliance and the coaching staff, seeing both Gurav and the young Abhay on the podium is a clear win for their developmental strategy.

 

 Tamil Nadu Star Clears 5.30m to Clinch Pole Vault Gold

In a high-flying masterclass at the JN Stadium, Chennai, Tamil Nadu’s Reegan Ganesh solidified his status as one of India’s premier vertical jumpers, clinching the men’s pole vault title at Indian Series-6. Ganesh cleared a height of 5.30m, a mark that further cements his place as the country’s most consistent performer in the discipline this year.

This victory is a significant tactical milestone for Ganesh. While it is the third time he has breached the 5.30m barrier in 2026, it marks his first successful outdoor clearance at this height. Earlier this season, Ganesh set a then-national indoor record of 5.30m in March at the National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar. Transitioning that indoor rhythm to the unpredictable outdoor winds of Chennai proves his technical maturity as he prepares for the upcoming Asian Games.

The atmosphere at JN Stadium hit a fever pitch when Ganesh raised the bar to 5.45m—the qualifying standard set by the AFI for the 2026 Asian Games and just centimeters shy of the current national record. Currently held by Kuldeep Kumar (5.41m, set just days ago in Bhubaneswar), the national record looked under threat as Ganesh made three spirited attempts. He came agonizingly close on his final vault, brushing the bar on his descent, a clear signal that the record is well within his reach.

The competition remained stiff throughout the evening. M Gowtham secured the silver medal, clearing 5.10m. Gowtham, a consistent 5.20m performer and former national champion, provided a steady challenge but couldn’t find the explosive lift needed to match Ganesh. Ram Ratan (Ramratan Singh), a rising 20-year-old talent who recently cleared 5.20m in April, rounded out the podium with a bronze-medal height of 5.00m.

For Reegan Ganesh, a former farmer’s son from Thanjavur who once trained with bamboo sticks, the 5.30m mark is just the baseline. With the Asian Games in sight and his eyes firmly fixed on Kuldeep Kumar’s 5.41m mark, the race for the title of “India’s Greatest Vaulter” is officially on.

 

India’s all-time second-fastest women’s 400m runner, Kiran Pahal, made a winning start to her season by clinching gold in the women’s 400m at the Indian Series-5 in Sangrur.

Kiran clocked 54.07 seconds to register the fastest time across all three finals at the meet, underlining her dominance in the event. The performance marks a solid opening to her campaign as she looks to build momentum for the remainder of the season.

Known for her consistency in Indian quarter-mile running, Kiran has established herself among the country’s top 400m athletes in recent years and continues to remain a strong contender on the national circuit.

The meet also witnessed the return of Himanshi Malik, the 2023 Interstate champion, who competed after nearly one and a half years away from action. Himanshi finished third in Final C with a time of 56.58s, marking an encouraging comeback performance after a lengthy absence from competition.

With both Kiran returning strongly and Himanshi back on track, the women’s 400m event promises to be an exciting battle in the domestic athletics season ahead.