The Indian Series-8 concluded recently at Pune’s AITP Ground, and attention now shifts to the next competition, Indian Series-9, scheduled for June 13 at Guru Nanak Stadium, Ludhiana. Although it is a one-day event, it could prove to be one of the most important competitions of the season for many athletes. Commonwealth Games hopes remain alive The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Selection Committee has decided to provide athletes with one additional opportunity to achieve the qualification standards for the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. The decision was taken following representations from several athletes who competed on the final day of the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Cup Championships in Ranchi from May 22–25, 2026. According to an AFI circular dated May 30, 2026, the athletes stated that they were unable to produce their best performances due to the unconducive windy weather conditions on the concluding day of the competition. After four days of high-quality competition in Ranchi, which witnessed multiple national records being broken, a total of 12 male and two female athletes achieved the Commonwealth Games qualification standards set by AFI.

India can send a maximum athletics contingent of 32 athletes to the Commonwealth Games: • 16 Men • 16 Women Several notable performers from the Federation Cup narrowly missed the qualification standards despite producing exceptional performances. Ancy Sojan, for instance, broke the meet record and recorded India’s third-best all-time women’s long jump mark of 6.75m, yet fell short of the qualification standard. Similarly, Vishal T.K. became the first Indian athlete to run sub-45 seconds in the men’s 400m with 44.92s, but still missed the required mark. Perhaps the biggest surprise came in the men’s javelin throw, where no Indian athlete has yet breached the qualification standard of 82.61m. The closest has been Shivam Satish Lohakare, who produced a lifetime best throw of 81.71m while winning gold at the Federation Cup, missing the mark by just 90 centimetres. Several events are still awaiting qualifiers, including the women’s 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, Long Jump and Javelin Throw, while on the men’s side, athletes are still chasing qualification in events such as the 800m and Triple Jump. While the men’s contingent is nearly complete with only four spots remaining, the women’s team remains largely open, with 14 places yet to be filled. The upcoming Indian Series meets will feature events including the men’s and women’s 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m Steeplechase, High Jump, Shot Put, Discus Throw, Javelin Throw, Hammer Throw and 110m/100m Hurdles. Additionally, the men’s Triple Jump and 10,000m Race Walk, along with the women’s Long Jump, will also be contested. For many athletes, this competition could serve as a final “Tatkal” opportunity to secure their ticket to Glasgow 2026.

1. Florence Griffith-Joyner (USA) – 10.49

Known worldwide as “Flo-Jo,” Florence Griffith-Joyner remains the fastest woman in history. Her astonishing 10.49 seconds, set at the 1988 U.S. Olympic Trials, has stood untouched for nearly four decades. The Olympic champion revolutionized women’s sprinting with her speed, style, and charisma. She won three gold medals and a silver at the 1988 Seoul Olympics and remains one of track and field’s most iconic figures. Despite ongoing debates about the conditions surrounding her record, no woman has managed to get within four hundredths of a second of her mark.

2. Elaine Thompson-Herah (Jamaica) – 10.54

Elaine Thompson-Herah cemented her place among sprinting legends during the Tokyo Olympic cycle. The Jamaican star became the first woman since Flo-Jo to run under 10.55, clocking 10.54 in 2021. She is the only woman to successfully defend Olympic titles in both the 100m and 200m, winning double gold in Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. Known for her smooth running style and exceptional championship temperament, Thompson-Herah dominated one of the strongest eras in women’s sprinting and remains Jamaica’s fastest woman ever.

3. Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (Jamaica) – 10.60

Often called the greatest female sprinter of all time, Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce has enjoyed a career spanning nearly two decades. The two-time Olympic 100m champion won her first Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008 and remained among the world’s best into her late thirties. Her 10.60 personal best made her the third-fastest woman ever. Renowned for consistency, longevity, and explosive starts, Fraser-Pryce has inspired generations of athletes while collecting multiple world titles and becoming one of the most respected figures in track and field history.

4. Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (USA) – 10.61

Melissa Jefferson-Wooden emerged as one of the biggest sprint stories of 2025 and 2026. After winning the world title and consistently defeating elite competition, she exploded to 10.61, becoming the fourth-fastest woman in history. Her rise has been remarkable, transforming from a talented collegiate athlete into one of the world’s most feared sprinters. Jefferson-Wooden’s strength lies in her acceleration and ability to perform under pressure. With her best years potentially still ahead, she has established herself as a major force in the post-Tokyo era of women’s sprinting.

5. Adaejah Hodge (British Virgin Islands) – 10.63

At just 20 years old, Adaejah Hodge has become one of the most exciting athletes in world athletics. Her stunning 10.63 elevated her to fifth on the all-time list and made her the youngest woman ever to break 10.70 seconds. Representing the British Virgin Islands and competing for Georgia in the NCAA system, Hodge has rapidly progressed from junior champion to global contender. A former World U20 champion and Olympian, she is already the greatest sprinter her nation has produced and appears poised to challenge for major international medals.

6. Carmelita Jeter (USA) – 10.64

Carmelita Jeter spent much of her career in the shadow of Jamaican dominance before becoming one of the greatest American sprinters ever. Her 10.64 ranks sixth all-time and remains one of the fastest legal times ever recorded. Jeter won the 2011 world title and played a crucial role in the United States’ relay successes. Known for her fierce competitiveness and late-career rise, she proved that athletes can reach their peak after years of persistence. Her achievements helped keep American women’s sprinting competitive during a golden Jamaican era.

7. Marion Jones (USA) – 10.65

Marion Jones was once the biggest star in athletics. Her combination of speed, charisma, and dominance made her a global icon in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Jones ran 10.65 and won multiple Olympic medals before her career became overshadowed by one of the sport’s biggest doping scandals. Despite the controversy, her raw talent remains undeniable. At her peak, Jones was considered virtually unbeatable and helped bring unprecedented attention to women’s sprinting. Her legacy remains one of the most debated and complex in athletics history.

8. Shericka Jackson (Jamaican sprinter”] (Jamaica) – 10.65

Shericka Jackson’s journey from 400m specialist to sprint superstar is one of the most remarkable transformations in track and field. The Jamaican star became a world champion in the 200m and one of the fastest women ever over both sprint distances. Her 10.65 personal best placed her alongside the sport’s all-time greats. Jackson combines exceptional top-end speed with remarkable strength, making her a constant threat in major championships. Her success has helped continue Jamaica’s extraordinary tradition of producing world-class female sprinters.

9. Sha’Carri Richardson (USA) – 10.65

Few athletes generate as much attention as Sha’Carri Richardson. Known for her flamboyant style, outspoken personality, and electrifying performances, Richardson became world champion in the 100m and one of the faces of modern athletics. Her personal best of 10.65 ranks among the fastest ever run. Beyond the stopwatch, she has played a major role in attracting new audiences to track and field. Richardson’s resilience in overcoming setbacks and criticism has made her one of the sport’s most compelling figures.

10. Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith (Côte d’Ivoire) – 10.72

Marie-Josée Ta Lou-Smith has been one of the most consistent elite sprinters of her generation. Representing Côte d’Ivoire, she has repeatedly challenged the sport’s biggest names despite coming from a nation without the sprinting infrastructure of the United States or Jamaica. Her 10.72 places her among the fastest women ever. Known for her longevity, determination, and infectious personality, Ta Lou-Smith has become one of Africa’s most successful track athletes and an inspiration for athletes across the continent.

11. Julien Alfred (Saint Lucia) – 10.72

Julien Alfred made history by becoming Saint Lucia’s first-ever Olympic champion, transforming herself into a national hero overnight. Her 10.72 places her level with Ta Lou-Smith on the all-time list. Alfred’s rise through the collegiate system into global stardom has been one of athletics’ most inspiring stories. Combining explosive acceleration with exceptional consistency, she has shown that athletes from small island nations can compete with and defeat the traditional sprinting powers. At just 24 years old, she could still climb higher on the all-time rankings.

At just 20 years of age, British Virgin Islands sensation Adaejah Hodge produced one of the greatest performances in women’s sprinting history, clocking a breathtaking 10.63 seconds in the 100m at the NCAA Championships.

The run elevated Hodge to fifth on the all-time women’s 100m list, placing her alongside some of the greatest names the sport has ever seen. According to the all-time rankings, only Florence Griffith-Joyner (10.49), Elaine Thompson-Herah (10.54), Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (10.60), and Melissa Jefferson-Wooden (10.61) have run faster. Hodge now sits ahead of sprint legends such as Carmelita Jeter, Marion Jones, Shericka Jackson, and Sha’Carri Richardson.

More remarkably, she is now believed to be the youngest woman in history to break the 10.70-second barrier, a mark that has traditionally been reserved for fully developed professional sprinters at the peak of their careers.

Hodge’s rise has been one of the most dramatic stories in global athletics this year.

Representing the British Virgin Islands and competing for the University of Georgia, she entered 2026 already regarded as one of the most exciting young talents in the sport.

Earlier this season, she became the first athlete from the British Virgin Islands to win an NCAA indoor title, capturing the women’s 200m crown in a national-record 22.22 seconds. She also claimed silver in the 60m and helped Georgia secure the NCAA team title.

In April, she stunned the sprint world by running 10.77 seconds at the Tom Jones Invitational, becoming the first woman from the British Virgin Islands to break 11 seconds and setting a national record. That performance immediately established her as one of the fastest women in the world this season.

Women’s sprinting has seen thousands of elite athletes compete over the decades, yet only a handful have ever broken 10.70 seconds. The names above Hodge on the all-time list include Olympic champions, world champions, and some of the most celebrated sprinters in history.

For an athlete still competing in the NCAA system, reaching that level is almost unprecedented.

The performance also surpassed the collegiate record and further strengthened her case as one of the favourites for track and field’s most prestigious collegiate honour, the Bowerman Award.

Hodge is no stranger to the international stage.

She competed at the 2024 Olympic Games in Pris, becoming the first athlete from the British Virgin Islands to reach an Olympic women’s 200m semifinal. She is also a former World U20 champion over 200m and has represented her nation at multiple global championships.

The men’s 100m prelims at the NCAA Outdoor Championships delivered one of the most electric opening rounds in recent memory, with two sub-10-second performances and a major championship storyline taking an unexpected turn.

At the centre of it all was Auburn’s Kanyinsola Ajayi, who stamped his authority on the field with a blistering 9.94 seconds in Heat 3, the fastest qualifying time of the round. Right on his heels was LSU’s Jaiden Reid, who clocked 9.95, ensuring that the sprint showdown heading into the final is finely poised.

For collegiate sprinting, where even breaking 10 seconds is a benchmark of world-class speed, the fact that two athletes dipped under that barrier in the same round signals just how deep this year’s NCAA field has become.

Running out of Auburn’s rapidly emerging sprint program, AJayi exploded from the blocks and quickly separated himself from the field, maintaining smooth acceleration through the drive phase and holding form down the final meters.

His 9.94 places him at the top of the qualifying list and firmly establishes him as one of the leading contenders for the NCAA title.

LSU’s Jaiden Reid matched the intensity, finishing just a hundredth behind in 9.95.

Reid’s run keeps LSU firmly in contention for sprint supremacy, with the margin between him and Ajayi so small it could come down to reaction time, execution, or wind conditions in the final.

With both athletes under 10 seconds, the final is shaping up as a near head-to-head duel rather than a wide-open race.

The biggest surprise of the day came from Louie Hinchliffe, the 2024 NCAA 100m champion.

Hinchliffe, who had previously turned professional before making a return to collegiate competition in 2026, failed to qualify for the final after running 10.18 seconds for third place in Heat 2.

India’s 1500m national record holder, KM Deeksha, who had earlier received a notice for an Adverse Analytical Finding (AAF) and was subsequently included in NADA’s latest suspension list, has failed a second dope test.

After testing positive in an out-of-competition sample earlier this year, Deeksha’s in-competition sample has also returned positive for the same prohibited substance.

According to NADA’s testing data available on its website, Deeksha underwent an out-of-competition test on February 26, 2026, in Bhopal. The report indicated the presence of stanozolol, an anabolic steroid that has been used by some athletes to enhance performance. The substance is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and athletics governing bodies.

She was later added to NADA’s latest suspension list. Deeksha confirmed to nnis Sports that she had requested a B-sample analysis following the initial positive test.

Now, nnis Sports has learned through sources that her in-competition sample, collected during the Indian Athletics Series–2 held in Jaipur in April, has also tested positive for the same substance.

Notably, the prohibited substance detected in both positive tests was stanozolol.

The women’s 800m at the Stockholm Diamond League 2026 produced one of the greatest middle-distance races in recent history as Switzerland’s Audrey Werro stormed to victory in a world-leading 1:53.98, defeating Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson and rewriting the record books.

In a thrilling head-to-head battle, Werro surged past Hodgkinson in the closing stages to become the first woman in nearly 43 years to break the 1:54 barrier. Her stunning performance not only set a new Diamond League record and Swiss national record but also made her the third-fastest woman in history over the distance.

Hodgkinson was far from disappointing. The British star clocked a personal best and national record of 1:54.33, a time that would have won almost any race in the world. Instead, she had to settle for second place behind a sensational Werro.

The race marked a dramatic turnaround in the emerging rivalry between the two athletes. Just a few months ago, Hodgkinson had comfortably defeated Werro to win the world indoor title in Toruń, with the Swiss athlete taking silver.

What makes Werro’s run even more remarkable is the scale of improvement. The 22-year-old entered the race with an outdoor personal best of 1:55.91 but sliced nearly two seconds off that mark in one extraordinary performance.

The Stockholm showdown has also reignited discussions about the long-standing world record of 1:53.28 set by Jarmila Kratochvílová in 1983. Werro’s 1:53.98 leaves her just 0.70 seconds shy of that mark, while Hodgkinson’s 1:54.33 further strengthens the belief that the women’s 800m could be entering a historic new era.

For athletics fans, the biggest takeaway may be that the women’s 800m is no longer a one-woman show. Hodgkinson entered 2026 as the clear favourite, but Werro’s breakthrough performance has announced the arrival of a serious challenger.

With both athletes still in their early twenties and the World Championships on the horizon, the rivalry between Audrey Werro and Keely Hodgkinson could become one of the defining stories of middle-distance running in the years ahead.

The Indian contingent at the U20 Asian Athletics Championships 2026 in Hong Kong finished second on the medals table with an impressive haul of 19 medals (10 gold, 5 silver and 4 bronze), one of the country’s best-ever performances at a major junior championships.

Here are five performances that stood out.

1) Pooja – The Night She Rewrote Indian Athletics History

Many athletes win gold medals. Very few rewrite history.

Pooja did both.

The young high jumper cleared 1.93m to win gold and break the Indian Senior Women’s National Record, becoming the highest-jumping Indian woman of all time.

What made it even more remarkable was how the drama unfolded. She first cleared 1.91m to improve her own U20 National Record and move to No. 2 on India’s all-time list. Then came 1.93m — and history.

The mark is the joint second-best performance in Asian U20 history and the highest jump by an Asian U20 athlete in nearly 27 years.

2) Nishchay – The 60-Metre Breakthrough

Nishchay’s 60.10m effort in the men’s discus earned him silver, but the medal was only part of the story.

The 17-year-old shattered the Indian U20 National Record, becoming only the second Indian junior ever to cross the 60-metre barrier and recording the first 60m-plus throw of his U20 career. The mark surpassed Ujjwal’s previous national record of 60.03m and also secured qualification for the World U20 Championships.

3) India’s Men’s 4x400m Relay Team – Record Breakers Under Pressure

Piyush Raj, Sayed Sabeer, Ranjith Kumar S and Mohammed Ashfaq combined to run 3:05.54, smashing the Indian U20 National Record in one of the fastest relay finals ever seen at the championships.

The quartet held off traditionally strong relay nations and finished ahead of Sri Lanka while competing in a race where the top five teams all clocked faster than the previous championship record.

4) Mogali Venkatram Reddy – A Champion’s Finish

The Andhra Pradesh athlete entered Hong Kong in excellent form and left as the Asian U20 champion after clocking a lifetime best of 1:48.27 to win the men’s 800m gold.

The 18-year-old has been steadily climbing through the ranks over the past two seasons, but this was his breakout moment on the continental stage. Calm, composed and clinical when it mattered most, Reddy showed the race intelligence and finishing speed that separate good athletes from champions.

5) Nikhil Chandrashekhar – The Gold Nobody Saw Coming

The men’s 3000m steeplechase produced one of India’s most thrilling victories of the championships.

For most of the race, Japan’s Yuu Kato looked in complete control. Nikhil Chandrashekhar simply refused to let him out of sight.

Then came the final 150 metres.

The Indian unleashed a stunning kick, overtook the long-time leader and sprinted away to claim gold in a huge lifetime best of 9:25.44. By the final straight, he was already celebrating.

Punjab sprinter Harjit Singh continued his impressive form this season, storming to victory in the men’s 100m at the ongoing Indian Athletics Series–8 with a blistering time of 10.17 seconds.

The race was run with a tailwind of +2.1 m/s, just above the legal limit of +2.0 m/s for record eligibility. While the mark will not be considered for record purposes, it nevertheless underlines the exceptional form that Harjit has displayed in recent weeks.

The performance comes just days after the Punjab athlete clocked 10.21 seconds at the Punjab State Athletics Championships, further establishing himself as one of the country’s most promising sprinters.

Harjit’s rise is also closely linked to one of Indian sprinting’s biggest success stories. The Punjab sprinter was a former training partner of India’s fastest man, Gurindervir Singh, with both athletes training under coach Happy Singh during their developmental years.

Coach Happy Singh played a significant role in shaping Gurindervir’s early sprinting career, and Harjit’s recent performances are a testament to the strong sprinting culture that has emerged from the training group.

With back-to-back fast times and growing confidence on the track, Harjit Singh is rapidly establishing himself as a sprinter to watch. If he can reproduce similar performances under legal wind conditions, he could soon find himself among the fastest Indian athletes in the country this season.

Seventeen-year-old Aditya Pisal of Maharashtra delivered a stunning performance at the ongoing Indian Athletics Series–8, sprinting to victory in the men’s U20 100m final with a remarkable time of 10.23 seconds.

Pisal’s clocking was significantly faster than the current Indian U20 national record of 10.35 seconds, held by Indian sprint star Gurindervir Singh. However, the performance will not be recognized as a national record due to excessive wind assistance.

The race was run with a tailwind of +3.5 m/s, well above the maximum allowable limit of +2.0 m/s for record purposes under World Athletics regulations. While the timing showcases Pisal’s exceptional speed and potential, it cannot be entered into the record books.

Despite the wind-aided conditions, the performance serves as a strong statement from one of India’s most promising young sprinters. Running 10.23s at just 17 years of age highlights Pisal’s growing stature in Indian athletics and underlines his potential to challenge national benchmarks in legal conditions in the future.