Nagoya: Puripol Boonson won the Asian Games men’s 100m gold on Friday in 9.90 seconds, breaking his own Games record to become Thailand’s sprint champion and cap a remarkable 24 hours in which he twice lowered the continental Games mark.

The 20-year-old had already rewritten the Asian Games record with 9.91 seconds in the semifinal, but found another 0.01 seconds in the final to produce a new personal best and retain his place at the top of the Asian sprinting landscape.

Boonson’s victory completes a rapid transformation from Asian Games silver medallist to continental champion. At the 2023 Hangzhou Games, he was just 17 when he finished second in the 100m in 10.02 seconds.

Three years later, there was no repeat of the silver.

Boonson entered Friday’s final after running 9.95 seconds in Thursday’s heats, before lowering the Games record to 9.91 in the semifinal. He then produced his fastest run of the competition when it mattered most, crossing the line in 9.90.

The time improved his own Games record, Thai national record and personal best.

It also marked another step in the rapid development of a sprinter who has spent the last few years repeatedly lowering the standards for Thai and Southeast Asian sprinting.

Boonson made history in December 2025 when he ran 9.94 seconds at the SEA Games in Bangkok, becoming the first sprinter from Southeast Asia to break the 10-second barrier. The performance also established a new Thai national record.

His progression has not been limited to the 100m.

Boonson is also the Thai national record holder in the 200m, having clocked 20.03 seconds at the Taiwan Athletics Open in June. The performance underlined his ability to compete across both sprint distances and placed him among the leading young sprinters in Asia.

His international breakthrough came at a remarkably young age.

At the 2022 World Athletics Under-20 Championships in Cali, a 16-year-old Boonson finished fourth in the 100m after running a world U18 best of 10.09 seconds in the semifinal.

Two years later, he went a step further at the World U20 Championships, winning silver in the 100m and becoming the first Thai athlete to win a medal at the championships.

The results have made Boonson one of the most prominent young sprinters in the region, but his Asian Games campaign in Nagoya offered a different challenge. This time, he arrived with an established reputation and the expectation of fighting for gold.

He delivered.

The victory also carries significance for Thai athletics. Boonson has ended a long wait for an individual men’s track and field gold medal for Thailand at the Asian Games.

Thailand’s previous individual athletics golds came at the 1978 Bangkok Asian Games, when Suchart Jairsuraparp won the men’s 100m and Usanee Laopinkarn took the women’s 200m title.

Boonson has now added his name to that list, 48 years later.

His victory also keeps alive the possibility of a sprint double in Nagoya. Boonson is expected to compete in the 200m, where he holds the Thai national record and has established himself as one of Asia’s leading performers.

But the 100m was the immediate objective, and he made it count.

The progression across the rounds tells much of the story: 9.95 in the heats, 9.91 in the semifinal, and 9.90 in the final.

Each race was faster than the one before it.

Three years ago, Boonson left the Asian Games with a silver medal and the experience of competing on one of the continent’s biggest stages.

On Friday, he returned to that stage and finished at the top of the podium.

At 20, he is now a SEA Games champion, World U20 medallist, Thai national record holder and Asian Games champion.

And in Nagoya, Puripol Boonson has added another record to his growing list — one that belongs to him twice.

The Asian Games 100m champion is now a 9.90-second man.

Aichi-Nagoya: India’s much-anticipated men’s 100m campaign ended in disappointment on Friday as Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur crashed out in the semifinals, failing to match the performances that had raised expectations earlier this season.

Gurindervir, India’s national record holder and the country’s fastest-ever man over 100m, finished fifth in his semifinal with a time of 10.32 seconds. Animesh Kujur, the second-fastest Indian in history, finished seventh in his race in 10.38 seconds.

Neither sprinter could reproduce the form that had made them two of the most closely watched Indian athletes heading into the Asian Games.

Gurindervir Singh Finishes Fifth in 10.32 Seconds

Gurindervir finished fifth in his semifinal, missing out on a place in the final.

Oman’s Ali Al Balushi won the race in 10.01 seconds, followed by China’s Xie Zhenye in 10.18 seconds and Daniel Biwesa in 10.22 seconds.

Gurindervir’s 10.32-second finish was not enough to secure qualification for the final.

Animesh Kujur Finishes Seventh in His Semifinal

Kujur also failed to advance, finishing seventh in his semifinal with a time of 10.38 seconds.

South Korea’s Joeljin Nwamadi won the race in 10.17 seconds, while Malaysia’s Mohd Muhammad clocked 10.25 seconds and Japan’s Yuki Koike finished in 10.31 seconds.

Kujur’s performance ended his hopes of reaching the final.

A Disappointing End to a Remarkable Season

The semifinal exits were particularly disappointing given the performances both sprinters had delivered earlier this season.

Gurindervir arrived in Aichi-Nagoya as the national record holder with a personal best of 10.09 seconds. He became the first Indian to break the 10.10-second barrier when he clocked that time in Ranchi in May.

His record-breaking performance had raised expectations for the Asian Games, with the sprinter openly targeting a breakthrough on the continental stage.

Kujur, meanwhile, had established himself as one of the biggest stories in Indian sprinting. The 200m national record holder clocked 10.14 seconds, setting the fastest 100m time by an Indian on foreign soil and the second-fastest mark by an Indian overall, behind Gurindervir’s 10.09 seconds.

Gurindervir-Kujur Rivalry Raised Expectations

The rivalry between the two sprinters had been one of the most intriguing developments in Indian athletics this year.

In May, the national record changed hands twice within minutes. Gurindervir first clocked 10.17 seconds before Kujur lowered the mark to 10.15 seconds.

Gurindervir reclaimed the record the following day with his historic 10.09-second performance.

That remarkable sequence made Friday’s semifinal results particularly difficult to digest.

Both Sprinters Had Advanced Safely Through the Heats

Gurindervir and Kujur had progressed to the semifinals after successfully negotiating their heats on Thursday.

Kujur finished third in 10.36 seconds, while Gurindervir placed second in 10.38 seconds. Both secured automatic qualification for the next round.

Their performances in the heats had raised hopes for a strong showing in the semifinals.

Gurindervir had said he would run faster in the later rounds, while Kujur, speaking exclusively to NNIS Sports, described his heat as an easy race and set himself a target of 10.01 seconds for the semifinal.

However, neither sprinter managed to improve on his heat performance.

Both Indians Fall Short of Their Personal Bests

Gurindervir finished 0.23 seconds slower than his national-record time of 10.09 seconds, while Kujur was 0.24 seconds outside his personal best of 10.14 seconds.

At the semifinal stage of a 100m race at this level, those margins can make a significant difference.

India had entered the Games with two sprinters capable of competing at the sharp end of the Asian field. Neither could reproduce that level when a place in the final was at stake.

For Gurindervir, the fifth-place finish marks a missed opportunity after a season in which his 10.09-second performance had changed perceptions of Indian sprinting.

For Kujur, seventh place is equally frustrating after a year in which his rivalry with Gurindervir had repeatedly pushed both athletes to new heights.

No Indian in the Men’s 100m Final

There will be no Indian representation in the men’s 100m final at Aichi-Nagoya.

The Asian Games had offered Gurindervir and Kujur an opportunity to turn a remarkable domestic season into a major international breakthrough. Instead, both sprinters saw their campaigns end in the semifinals.

Their talent and performances earlier in the season had raised expectations, but neither could deliver the same level on the biggest day of the competition.

On Friday, both fell short of the performance needed to reach the final.

As the race unfolded, Bahrain’s Winfred Yavi bobbed up and down in the lead, while Ruth Jebet surprisingly began to fade. Meanwhile, Nozomi Tanaka of Japan stuck tenaciously to the front, threatening an upset on the final lap before Yavi’s world-class, loping strides and devastating 200-meter sprint broke the resistance.

Amidst this elite fray was Seema, the diminutive Indian distance runner taking a giant step onto the international stage.

“Because it was my first Asian Games, and everyone wants to win gold for their country, I also fought to win gold. But I won the bronze medal. I am happy.”

For Seema, the race wasn’t just physical; it was a course of unexpected trials. Unknown to most, a foreign object had lodged itself into her shoe early on.

“Did you get hurt in your shoes? Yes, I got a sticker on my foot. But I didn’t see it. I didn’t pay much attention.”

That resilience defined her race. When the initial slow tempo didn’t suit her and the pack began playing tactical games, Seema adapted on the fly. When Yavi and the leaders finally threw down the hammer in the final laps, Seema dug deep. Could she have grabbed silver instead of Tanaka? Yes, she could have. That is the eternal crossroads for a 10k runner: when to surge and when to bide your time. Securing bronze in 32:50.05 was a steep learning curve, but one she handled with maturity.

This podium finish was no accident. It is the product of meticulous planning, gruelling overseas camps, and an unbreakable mindset. Training in the United States for the last three years, with the support of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), SAI, and TOPS, has transformed her trajectory.

Recent months saw the squad complete a high-intensity, two-and-a-half-month block in the U.S., returning home just a week prior to the Games. “It is very beneficial for us because there are tough conditions there, and we train with Olympic champions. Since the Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles in 2028, it prepares our mindset to compete.”

Wrapped proudly in the tricolour, Seema looked back at a journey that includes a silver medal at the 2025 World University Games. But the story is far from over.

With her next event, the 5000 meters, approaching on September 28th, Seema is eager to apply the tactical lessons learned on the 10k track.

“My next event is the 5000 meters. I will try my best to change the colour of my medal.”

Guided by mentors who always remind her, “Seema, you are the best. You are a fighter,” she has proven she can take a punch, adapt to chaos, and deliver when it matters most.

India won silver in the mixed 4x400m relay at the 2026 Asian Games, clocking 3:14.46 and edging Vietnam by just 0.08 seconds in a thrilling finish.

The medal followed a crucial tactical decision by the Indian team management, which made two changes between the heats and the final to strengthen the combination for the medal race.

India Qualifies in 3:16.23

India began the competition with Manu T.S., M.R. Poovamma, Jay Kumar and Kiran in Heat 2.

The quartet finished second in the heat in 3:16.23, securing qualification for the final.

India had already shown its potential during the qualifying race. The team was leading at both the 800m and 1200m marks, with Jay Kumar producing a 45.60-second split and Kiran clocking 53.01 seconds on the anchor leg.

Those performances helped India reach the final, but the team management opted for two changes before the medal race.

Vishal T.K. and Vithya Ramraj Come In

Vishal T K  and Vithya Ramraj were brought into the final line-up, replacing Jay Kumar and Kiran.

The changes added proven strength to the Indian combination.

Vishal, India’s only sub-45-second quartermiler, brought his speed to the men’s leg. Vithya was brought in for the women’s leg, adding her experience and strength over the closing stages of the race.

The final quartet was therefore:

M.R. Poovamma – Vishal T.K. – Vithya Ramraj – Manu T.S.

India Produces a Major Improvement

The new combination delivered a much faster performance when the medals were at stake.

India crossed the line in 3:14.46, improving by almost two seconds from its heat time.

Vietnam pushed India all the way to the finish, but the Indian quartet held on to take silver, finishing just 0.08 seconds ahead.

The narrow margin made the final stages particularly dramatic, with the medal ultimately decided by just eight hundredths of a second.

Two Changes Make the Difference

India’s performance highlighted the depth available in its 400m squad.

The athletes who ran in the heats played an important role in getting India into the final, but the changes allowed the team to bring Vishal T.K. and Vithya Ramraj into the medal race.

For Vishal, the final provided another opportunity to showcase the form that has made him India’s leading sub-45-second 400m runner.

For Vithya, moving into the final line-up allowed her to bring her experience and strength to a high-pressure Asian Games race.

The mixed relay format also gave India the opportunity to assess its qualifying performance before making adjustments for the final.

Those changes paid off.

India improved from 3:16.23 in the heats to 3:14.46 in the final, producing its best performance when the medals were on the line.

And the final margin summed up the race perfectly: India and Vietnam were separated by just 0.08 seconds.

Two changes. One major improvement. One Asian Games silver. 🇮🇳🥈

Kujur clocked 10.36 seconds to finish third in Heat 1, while Gurindervir stopped the clock at 10.38 seconds to finish second in Heat 4. Both advanced to the semifinals, keeping India’s hopes alive in one of the most eagerly anticipated athletics events of the Games.

For Kujur, the heat was less about chasing a spectacular time and more about getting the job done.

Speaking exclusively to NNIS Sports, the 200m national record holder described the qualifying race as easy and immediately shifted his focus to the next round.

His target is clear: 10.01 seconds in the semifinal.

That ambition reflects the confidence Kujur has carried through a season in which he has repeatedly established himself among India’s fastest sprinters. He clocked 10.14 seconds earlier this year, the fastest 100m time by an Indian on foreign soil, while also continuing to hold the national record in the 200m.

The semifinal, however, will demand considerably more. Thailand’s Puripol Boonson produced a stunning 9.95 seconds to win Kujur’s heat, with China’s Zeng Keli finishing second in 10.22.

Kujur has repeatedly spoken about enjoying the increased competition in the 100m this season, particularly his battles with Gurindervir. After winning both the 100m and 200m at the Indian Athletics Final Series in New Delhi earlier this month, he said the repeated competition had made him enjoy the 100m even more.

Gurindervir, meanwhile, looked equally comfortable in his opening-round assignment.

The Punjab sprinter finished second in Heat 4 in 10.38 seconds, behind Oman’s Malham Al Balushi, who ran 10.29.

For Gurindervir, the opening round was an opportunity to settle into the atmosphere of his first Asian Games 100m campaign after a demanding season.

“I was enjoying myself,” Gurindervir said after qualifying, making it clear that he was embracing the occasion rather than allowing the pressure of the Asian Games to overwhelm him.

The national record holder has been preparing for this moment for a long time. Earlier this year, he became the first Indian to break 10.10 seconds in the 100m, clocking a national-record 10.09 seconds at the Federation Cup in Ranchi.

That mark has placed him firmly among Asia’s leading sprinters, but the Asian Games field is loaded with quality. Japan’s Yuki Koike has a 9.98-second personal best, Shuhei Tada has run 10.01, while Thailand’s Boonson has already gone below 10 seconds this season.

Gurindervir, however, has insisted that the Indian pair belong in the conversation.

The focus now shifts to the semifinals, where the intensity will rise sharply and every hundredth of a second could matter.

For Kujur, the target is already set: 10.01.

For Gurindervir, it is about enjoying the moment while finally showing what months of preparation can produce on the biggest Asian stage.

Two Indians. One semifinal. And a serious shot at making the 100m final.