The second day of the 101st Punjab State Junior Athletics Championship 2026 produced a series of notable performances at Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana on August 18, with athletes across age groups making their mark in track, field and race-walking events.

Ekamjot Singh of Sangrur emerged as one of the standout performers, winning the boys’ U-20 5km race walk in 22:45.60, comfortably inside the junior national qualifying mark of 26:00.00. Sumanpreet Kaur of Patiala also secured the girls’ U-20 5km race walk title in 25:23.61. In the U-18 boys’ race walk, Prabhjot Singh of Ropar topped the field in 21:47.66, also achieving the listed qualification standard.

The sprint events saw strong results from the younger athletes. Bikram Chaudhary of Ropar won the boys’ U-16 60m in 7.40 seconds, while Ishmeet Kaur of SAS Nagar took the girls’ U-16 60m title in 8.40 seconds.
In the field events, Manjot Singh won the boys’ U-20 hammer throw with 68.56m, while Gurnoor Kaur topped the girls’ U-20 hammer throw with 42.78m. Dishant Kumar won the boys’ U-20 800m in 1:56.60, and Harpreet Kaur claimed the girls’ U-20 800m in 2:17.73.
With another day of competition remaining, the championship continues to provide a platform for Punjab’s emerging athletics talent to compete for state honours and national qualification marks.

Here is the complete result : Punjab junior athletes

Maharashtra’s Ajay Khade produced a sensational performance to clinch the men’s 100m title at Indian Series-13, while Karnataka’s Prakruthi won the women’s 100m crown and Abhinaya Shetty claimed the women’s high jump title in Warangal.

Khade delivered the highlight of the sprint events, clocking a massive personal best of 10.44 seconds to take the men’s 100m title. His winning performance was the fastest among all eight heats, as he improved his previous lifetime best of 10.82s by a huge margin.
Harsh Raut, a member of India’s World Relay 2026 team, finished second in the men’s 100m final with an impressive timing of 10.45 seconds.

In the women’s 100m event, Karnataka’s Prakruthi secured the top spot with a timing of 11.74 seconds. Suba Dharsini recorded the second-fastest timing across the three finals, finishing with 11.80 seconds.

However, the women’s 100m event witnessed a relatively below-par performance, with only two athletes out of the 15 competitors across the three finals managing to dip under the 12-second mark.

Meanwhile, Abhinaya Shetty clinched the women’s high jump title with a season-best clearance of 1.78m. The performance came in her fourth competition of the season, adding another strong result to her ongoing campaign.

Here is the full result: India series 13 Result

The Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports on Monday announced the National Sports Awards 2025, recognising outstanding performances and contributions across various sporting disciplines.

The National Sports Awards are presented every year to honour sportspersons, coaches and organisations for excellence in sports and their contribution to the promotion of sporting culture in the country.

Based on the recommendations of the Selection Committee chaired by former Supreme Court Judge Justice (Retd.) Arun Kumar Mishra, the Government has decided to confer awards under various categories.

Arjuna Awards 2025

A total of 17 sportspersons have been selected for the Arjuna Award for outstanding performance in Sports and Games 2025. The award recognises athletes for consistent performances over the previous four years, along with qualities of leadership, sportsmanship and discipline.

The awardees are:
1. Tejaswin Shankar — Athletics
2. Muhammed Ajmal — Athletics
3. Priyanka Goswami  — Athletics
4. Treesa Jolly — Badminton
5. Pullela Gayatri Gopichand — Badminton
6. Narender — Boxing
7. Vidit Santosh Gujarathi — Chess
8. Divya Jitendra Deshmukh — Chess
9. Dhanush Srikanth — Deaf Shooting
10. Lalremsiami — Hockey
11. Rajkumar Pal — Hockey
12. **Surjeet** — Kabaddi
13. **Pooja** — Kabaddi
14. Rudransh Khandelwal — Para Shooting
15. Ekta Bhyan — Para Athletics
16. Arvind Singh — Rowing
17. Akhil Sheoran — Shooting

Arjuna Award (Lifetime)

The Arjuna Award (Lifetime) is conferred to sportspersons who have made significant contributions through their performances and continued to promote sports even after retiring from active competition.

I Arumainayagam — Football has been selected for the Arjuna Award (Lifetime) 2025.

Dronacharya Award 2025

The Dronacharya Award honours coaches who have consistently delivered outstanding and meritorious work and helped sportspersons achieve excellence at international events.

Three coaches have been selected in the regular category:

* Parveer Singh — Athletics
* Chhote Lal Yadav — Boxing
* Neha Nandkumar Chavan — Shooting

The Lifetime category will honour:

* Dharmendra Singh Yadav — Boxing
* Virender Kumar — Wrestling

Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025

The Army Paralympic Node, Pune has been selected for the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar 2025.

The stadium air is heavy with anticipation. While the Commonwealth Games recedes into the record books, Indian Track and Field looks ahead to the Asian Games while athletes are still trying to impress one and all in the various Series. This Indian Athletics Series 13 will take place at the JN Stadium, Hanamkonda, Warangal (Telangana) on August 18, 2026.

Men’s 100m Dash: All eyes lock onto the record board bearing Gurindervir Singh’s blistering 10.09s benchmark. Stepping onto the track are contenders like Andhra Pradesh’s Jammula Bhanu Srinivasa and Nikhil Katam, alongside Army speedsters Ankur and Dheeraj K Sreedar. But keep a close watch on Karnataka’s Manikanta H Hoblidhar, whose rapid acceleration has turned heads all season, and young Tamil Nadu flyer Nithiin Arunan.

The 200m Half-Lap War: Animesh Kujur’s national record of 20.32s looms large over a star-studded 200m field. Shaik Roshan of Andhra Pradesh and Army’s Shivam. and Abijith K. bring blistering turn speed off the bends, ready to duel with Karnataka’s Harshal Rao D and Maharashtra’s swift newcomer Abhijit Tidke.

Hurdles & Mastery: In the 110m hurdles, national record holder Tejas Ashok Shirse’s shadow hangs over veterans like Air Force’s Tarundeep Singh Bhatia and Army’s Sahil Kadyan. Meanwhile, the women’s sprint hurdles showcase pure technical artistry, featuring Railway veteran Kanimozhi C and Telangana’s dynamic Aerrolla Pranathi fighting for every hundredth of a second over the barriers.

The Crucible of Endurance: Middle & Long Distance

While sprinters live in seconds, middle- and long-distance runners live in fractions of pain, strategy, and unyielding lung capacity.

The 400m Quarter-Mile Beasts: The one-lap race is a symphony of agony. Olympians and veterans like Kerala’s legendary Muhammed Anas Yahiya and Navy’s Muhammed Ajmal V lead a formidable charge. They are hunted by fierce competitors like Army’s Baljeet. and rising star Lastly Suchiang of Meghalaya, who represents the bold new wave of northeastern distance running.

Tactical Chess in the 1500m: The metric mile is where races are won in the mind before the legs. A massive contingent from the Indian Army, anchored by Manpreet, Nitin and Pukeshwar Lal, controls the pace alongside Haryana’s Navdeep and Rahul, setting up a tactical masterclass against fierce regional rivals.

Gravity Defied: Jumps and Vaults

In the vertical and horizontal pits, milliseconds give way to inches, momentum, and flight.

High Jump Heights: Fresh off setting a towering national record of 2.31m, Sarvesh Kushare’s inspiration fuels the high jump pit. Air Force’s Aryan Arun Patil, Army’s Ajaj Raju Mulani, and Kerala’s Aromal T prepare to defy gravity, arching over the bar in graceful displays of explosive elasticity.

The Long & Triple Jump Pits: Jeswin Aldrin’s jaw-dropping 8.42m record sets the standard in the long jump, where Air Force’s Siddharth Mohan Naik and Army’s Rahul Yadav battle fierce state competitors like Tamil Nadu’s Seshank Vasu. In the triple jump, Army’s Yashdeep and JSW’s Sebastian V S eye the legendary mark of Praveen Chithravel.

Titans of the Circle: Throws

The Javelin Spear: India’s golden discipline continues to inspire awe. Following Neeraj Chopra’s legendary 90.23m benchmark, powerhouses like Police’s Rishabh Nehra, Army’s Ajay Kumar, and Haryana’s trio of Jaideep, Tushar, and Yashraj prepare to launch the spear into the stratosphere.

Shot Put Heavyweights: In the throwing circle, pure brute strength collides with technical mastery. Maharashtra’s Divya Jeethbhadur Sonar and Haryana’s Amit anchor a heavy-hitting field where every centimetre fights for the podium.

Here is the complete BIB List India Series 13

Bhubaneswar, August 17 — The vibrant city of Bhubaneswar is readying itself for an extraordinary showcase of speed, strength, and global sporting excellence as the Kalinga Stadium prepares to host the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meeting on August 22. Bringing together the finest talents from across the globe, this upgraded silver-tier event promises an unforgettable evening for track and field enthusiasts both in the stands and tuning in worldwide.

The prestigious one-day meet has attracted 188 competitors representing 28 nations, headlined by an exceptional contingent of 36 athletes ranked within the top 50 of the official World Athletics lists.

Athletics Federation of India spokesperson Dr. Adille J. Sumariwalla expressed immense excitement ahead of the event, noting that the presence of so many top competitors, including a couple in the top 10 of their respective events, will deliver high-quality competition for fans in the stadium and those watching the live streams.

Among the international stars descending upon Odisha, two standout competitors lead the charge with top 10 global rankings. Muzala Samukonga, the World No. 6 and Paris 2024 Olympic men’s 400m bronze medallist from Zambia, stands as the highest-ranked athlete in the competition, carrying an impressive 44.02-second run clocked this season. Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi, the World No. 10, Commonwealth Games men’s Shot Put champion, and Paris Olympic finalist, also brings world-class power to the throwing circle. Global representation is robust, featuring notable squads from Sri Lanka with 17 athletes, South Africa with 14, and Brazil with 11, contributing to a total field that includes 88 Indian competitors alongside international peers.

Leading the charge for the host nation is Murali Sreeshankar. The 27-year-old two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist, currently ranked 15th globally in the men’s long jump, returns eagerly to the Kalinga Stadium runway, the very spot where he soared to a stellar season’s best leap of 8.38m during the AFI National Inter-State Athletics Championships on June 28. Other prominent Indian stars aiming to thrill the home crowd include men’s javelin thrower Rohit Yadav, two-time Asian Games men’s shotput champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor, and men’s 200m national record holder and local favourite Animesh Kujur. For these Indian competitors, the meeting serves as an invaluable competitive stepping stone in preparation for the upcoming Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya next month.

Fans can expect fierce battles across several headline disciplines boasting deep international fields, particularly in the men’s 400m, shot put, and javelin throw, as well as the women’s 100m hurdles, discus throw, and javelin throw events.

Thanks to the steadfast partnership and backing of the Government of Odisha, the AFI has successfully elevated the tournament from a Bronze-level prize money event last year to a prestigious Continental Tour Silver Meeting. Dr. Sumariwalla expressed gratitude to the Odisha Government for its continued support of track and field sport, adding that they are hopeful Odisha will eventually host even a Gold Level Meeting.

The 101st Punjab State Junior Athletics Championship 2026 officially commenced with great energy and enthusiasm at the iconic Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana. Running from August 16 to August 18, 2026, the prestigious three-day event brings together hundreds of elite young track and field athletes from across every district of Punjab, competing in the U-14, U-16, U-18, and U-20 (Boys & Girls) age groups.

Grand Inauguration & Key Dignitaries

The opening ceremony was inaugurated by the Senior Deputy Mayor of Ludhiana as the Chief Guest of Day 1, who officially declared the championship open. In his keynote address, he commended the athletes for their dedication and emphasized the vital role of sports in fostering youth development, discipline, and drug-free healthy living across the state.

The grand opening also witnessed the presence of notable sports icons and office-bearers of the Punjab Athletics Association (PAA):

Organizers emphasized that this landmark 101st edition serves as the official selection platform for Punjab’s state athletics squad, with top performers earning spots in upcoming national competitions, including the 21st National Youth Athletics Championships (Sept 1–3, 2026), the North Zone Junior Athletics Championships (Sept 14–16, 2026), and the 41st National Junior Athletics Championships (Oct 23–27, 2026).

Key Results & Highlights from Day 1

Day 1 delivered high-octane action on the track and field, with several standout athletes meeting or exceeding national qualification marks:

Under-20 (U-20) Division

Under-18 (U-18) Division

All lingering doubts regarding Armand “Mondo” Duplantis’s recent fitness and form were emphatically put to bed on Sunday at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Despite an uncharacteristic loss in Stockholm in June and a groin twinge that forced his retirement in London in July, the Swedish superstar delivered a masterclass under the lights at the Alexander Stadium to secure his fourth successive European pole vault crown with a championship record clearance of 6.15m.

While Duplantis ultimately reigned supreme, most pole vaulters would feel that they are slowly inching up close to him. Emmanouil Karalis provided a genuine, high-stakes threat throughout the night, clearing 6.00m and narrowly missing what would have been a stunning clearance at 6.10m before having to settle for silver. Meanwhile, France’s Baptiste Thiery rounded out the podium with a bronze-winning vault of 5.85m.

Reflecting on the hard-fought victory, Armand Duplantis shared, “The lead-up has been very difficult and stressful… Being here healthy and winning gold is great. I think Emmanouil brings that out of me and brings the best out of the sport.”

Emmanouil Karalis echoed the competitive yet amicable spirit of the evening, noting, “I had fun out there. Hopefully, at the next competition, I can jump even higher… Mondo was saying to me when we finished that we need to go get a beer together.”

Bronze medallist Baptiste Thiery also looked toward the future, adding, “To share the podium with Duplantis and Karalis, that is an honour. But next time, I will jump higher to get closer to them.”

British middle-distance star Georgia Hunter Bell cemented her stellar season with an unforgettable tactical middle-distance running, capturing the 1500m gold at the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham. Upgrading from the silver she claimed in Rome two years ago, the 33-year-old delivered an electric final lap of 58.44 under the lights of the Alexander Stadium to secure her third major victory of the year, following triumphs at the World Indoor Championships in Torun and the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Controlling the race from the front, Hunter Bell expertly warded off challenges from Poland’s Klaudia Kazimierska, who took silver in 4:08.80 and France’s Agathe Guillemot, while Portugal’s Patricia Silva clinched the bronze.

Reflecting on her tactical triumph, Hunter Bell noted: “Just getting myself in a good position throughout was always the plan. I thought, if it comes down to a kick, I’ve got it, so I didn’t want it to go too quick. I thought it might be a 600m burn-up, which it was – and that was perfect for me.”

With an incredible season already under her belt, the late-blooming champion is already setting her sights on an even grander horizon. Looking ahead, she shared her ambitious next target:

“I think I need a little break to start even thinking about the fourth gold at Budapest, but that is certainly the goal. Can I get four major golds in a year? I really hope so, it’s the next big challenge.”

Great Britain and Northern Ireland delivered a sensational finale at Birmingham 2026 on Sunday, capturing gold in the inaugural mixed relay 4x100m with a blistering European record time of 39.97 seconds. The star-studded lineup – featuring men’s 100m silver medallist Jeremiah Azu, women’s 200m bronze medallist Dina Asher-Smith, men’s 200m silver medallist Zharnel Hughes, and multi-gold champion Amy Hunt became the first European quartet in history to break the 40-second barrier, placing them second only to Jamaica on the world all-time list.

Germany pushed the British squad to the limit, drawing level when Gina Lückenkemper collected the baton for the final leg. However, facing the irresistible closing speed of anchor Amy Hunt, Germany settled for silver in 40.11, while Spain claimed bronze in 40.42.

The victory was packed with historic milestones. Amy Hunt clinched a remarkable fourth gold medal of the championships becoming the first athlete ever to achieve the feat at a single European Athletics Championships. Meanwhile, Dina Asher-Smith secured her eleventh career European medal (eighth gold), cementing her status as the most decorated athlete in European Athletics Championships history. Reflecting on the triumph, Hunt likened the experience to a thrilling roller coaster ride, while Azu praised the team’s sprint domination and the honour of running alongside such inspiring teammates.

When Stefan Nillessen got out of bed on Saturday morning, winning a gold medal was the furthest thing from his mind; hoping for a sneaky silver or bronze was about as ambitious as his thoughts dared to go. Yet, as the Dutch athlete proved at the Birmingham 2026 European Athletics Championships, what you sometimes feel while getting out of bed can turn the complete opposite by nightfall, delivering the biggest title of his career in the men’s 1500m.

For much of the race, Nillessen kept a close watch on proceedings while sitting largely in the middle of the pack, alongside world champion Isaac Nader and former world champion Jake Wightman, as Norway’s Narve Gilje Nordås led the early pace. With every athlete still in contention as the bell sounded, Britain’s Jake Heyward and Wightman seized the initiative down the back straight. It looked all set for a British one-two as Wightman rounded Heyward into the finishing straight, but the chasing pack had other plans. Nillessen timed his move to perfection, sweeping through to take control before Ireland’s Andrew Coscoran followed him past the fading British pair, only for Sweden’s Samuel Pihlström to surge from the back of the field with a breathtaking late burst. Nillessen crossed the line in 3:35.70 to claim gold, with Pihlström snatching surprise silver in 3:36.16 and Coscoran taking bronze in 3:36.24.

Reflecting on his fairytale triumph, an ecstatic Nillessen admitted that this smile won’t go off his face for a long time, noting that he even surprised himself with that sprint finish. Meanwhile, Pihlström confessed he was completely overwhelmed after coming from almost dead last with a lap to go to secure second, and Coscoran celebrated a brilliant tactical race that played right into his hands to deliver a historic moment for Ireland