Kebinatshipi’s 9.91 Changes the Conversation — Not Just the Race There are breakthrough races, and then there are moments that force a rethink.

Collen Kebinatshipi delivered the latter in Gaborone, clocking a stunning 9.91s (0.8) in the 100m semifinals at the Botswana Athletics Championships.

This wasn’t supposed to be his lane. Kebinatshipi is the reigning world 400m champion, a one-lap specialist built on rhythm and endurance.

But here, over half the distance, he looked just as comfortable — and just as dangerous.

The time makes him only the second man from Botswana to break 10 seconds, joining Letsile Tebogo, whose 9.86 still stands as the national benchmark.

That matters, because Tebogo has come to define Botswana’s sprinting rise.

Now, he may have company. What stands out isn’t just the number, but the implication.

Versatility at this level is rare. And if Kebinatshipi can carry this speed back to the 400m, the rest of the world has a problem.

 

April may not be peak marathon season in India, but the calendar remains active with a mix of full marathons, trail races and major road events. Here’s a clean look at key races to track this month, along with what it takes to get on the start line.

April’s schedule leans toward accessibility, but conditions — heat, terrain, altitude — make preparation the real qualifier.

The 2026 World Athletics Relays in Gaborone represents more than just another global event on the calendar. For the first time, the competition will be held in Africa — a region that has consistently produced world-class sprinters but rarely hosted a meet of this scale.

Scheduled for May 2–3 at the Botswana National Stadium, the event will bring together top relay teams across six disciplines, including men’s and women’s 4x100m and 4x400m, along with mixed relays.

What sets this meet apart is its structure. Unlike traditional championships, qualification pathways and race outcomes carry direct consequences beyond medals.

The top eight teams from the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo have already secured automatic entry. These teams arrive with established combinations and proven championship experience, often shaping how races unfold.

The remaining slots are determined through world rankings accumulated between January 2025 and April 2026. This system rewards consistent performances across competitions, placing emphasis on regular racing and stable team combinations. For developing relay nations, this has required a focus on depth and execution under different conditions.

The stakes increase further with qualification for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing. The top 12 teams in each event at Gaborone will secure their spots, making early rounds highly competitive. Progression is not just about reaching finals, but about finishing within the required positions as early as possible.

In the mixed relays, the top six teams will also qualify for the 2026 Ultimate Championship, adding another layer of competition where margins are expected to be minimal.

Teams that fail to qualify in the first round will get another opportunity through repechage races. This format extends the competition but also demands strong recovery, squad rotation, and mental focus within a short timeframe.

The structure places significant importance on execution. Relay events have always depended on precision, and under this format, even small errors — particularly in baton exchanges — can directly impact qualification outcomes.

For India, the meet represents a clear opportunity. Recent performances have shown progress, but Gaborone offers a chance to convert that into qualification for future global events.

In a system built on both speed and consistency, the challenge will be to deliver when it matters most.

The return of Noah Lyles to Tokyo carries more significance than a standard early-season appearance. It marks a point where the sprint season begins to take clearer shape.

Scheduled to compete in the 100m at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix on May 17, Lyles steps back onto a track where he has already secured major titles, including Olympic success and world-level performances.

What stands out is the timing. This is not a championship race, but it sits at a stage of the season where performances begin to indicate direction rather than peak condition.

The Continental Tour serves as a platform for athletes to test form under competitive conditions. For Lyles, this race offers an opportunity to assess speed and execution without the pressure associated with major finals.

The field is expected to be competitive, as meets in Japan traditionally attract depth early in the season. While the result itself may not define his year, the performance will provide insight into his preparation and progression.

Events like this rarely decide outcomes for the season, but they often reveal patterns. For elite sprinters, even early races can offer indicators of rhythm, readiness, and intent.

The 2026 Indian athletics season is officially underway, with athletes beginning their campaigns across both indoor and outdoor competitions. While some Indian stars chose to open their season indoors, others are gearing up for the outdoor circuit and all eyes now shift to Bengaluru.

In a significant rebranding, the Indian Grand Prix has now evolved into the Indian Athletics Series, with its first meet scheduled for April 4 at the iconic Kanteerava Stadium.

As anticipation builds, here are five major Indian athletes who will headline the season opener:

 

1). Murali Sreeshankar (Men’s Long Jump):

Indian athletics fans have been eagerly waiting for Murali Sreeshankar to open his 2026 season and that moment has finally arrived.

Returning from injury last year, Sreeshankar showed impressive consistency, crossing the 8m mark in three out of six competitions. Notably, only three Indian athletes managed to breach the 8m barrier in 2025 Sreeshankar, Shahnawaz Khan, and C.V. Anurag.

With a packed season ahead featuring the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, where he previously clinched silver medals, expectations are high. The qualification marks of 8.05m (CWG) and 7.91m (Asian Games) are well within his reach, making this competition a crucial starting point.

 

2). Ancy Sojan (Women’s Long Jump):

Fresh off a bronze medal at the Asian Indoor Championships, Ancy Sojan is set to begin her outdoor season in Bengaluru.

Her preparations were briefly interrupted by a calf injury, but she now returns to a venue that has historically brought her success. At Kanteerava Stadium, Ancy recorded her personal best of 6.71m in 2024 and also jumped 6.52m at the same venue during IGP-3.

After winning silver at the Asian Championships last year and stepping away from competition post the World University Games, this meet marks an important comeback.

She will face stiff competition from Shaili Singh, India’s second-best long jumper, who will also kick off her 2026 season here.

3). Sarvesh Kushare (Men’s High Jump):


For Sarvesh Kushare, 2026 hasn’t started on the strongest note.

He opened his season with a gold medal at the Indian Open Jumps in Bengaluru but with a modest jump of 2.16m, below his usual standards. This was followed by another underwhelming outing at the National Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar, where he finished second with 2.15m.

However, Kushare’s pedigree cannot be overlooked. He had a stellar 2025 season, finishing sixth at the World Championships in Tokyo with a personal best of 2.28m. The Bengaluru meet could be the platform he needs to rediscover that form.

 

4). Manikanta Hoblidhar (Men’s 100m):


It’s been a difficult start to 2026 for Manikanta Hoblidhar.

A false start at the Asian Indoor Championships and a hamstring pull during the National Open Relays have disrupted his rhythm. But if there’s one place that could inspire a turnaround, it’s Kanteerava Stadium.

This is where he clocked 10.23s in 2023 and broke Amiya Mallick’s national record of 10.26s at the National Open Athletics Championships.

With form and fitness in question, all eyes will be on whether Bengaluru can once again bring out the best in him.

5). Baranica Elangovan (Women’s Pole Vault):

Known as the “Vault Queen of India,” Baranica Elangovan enters the competition with momentum on her side.

At her last outing, she set a new national record by clearing 4.22m at the National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, surpassing P. Rosy Meena’s previous mark of 4.21m.

She even attempted 4.25m, narrowly missing out, a sign that there’s more to come.

The big question now: can Baranica push the national record even further in Bengaluru?

India’s 4x100m mixed relay team is facing a tense wait for World Relays qualification after slipping in the standings.

The team had initially secured a strong position, ranking 19th after clocking a national record time of 42.30 seconds at the Open Relays.

However, recent performances from other nations have changed the scenario. Nigeria, Kenya, Poland, and Ukraine have all recorded faster times, pushing India down to 23rd place — just inside the qualification cutoff of 24 teams.

With the qualification window still open until April 5, the situation remains uncertain. If two more teams post better timings, India risks dropping out of the top 24 and missing qualification for the World Relays in Gaborone.

The United States is also yet to register a qualifying time, which could further impact the final standings.

Sources indicate that India had targeted a sub-42 second run, but a baton exchange issue during the third leg cost valuable time in their record-setting race.

With qualification now hanging by a thread, all eyes are on upcoming races worldwide that could decide India’s fate.

The Athletics Federation of India has introduced new selection rules for the 2026 season, making participation in domestic competitions very important for athletes.
To compete in the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition, athletes must take part in at least two AFI-organised events in 2026. For the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, athletes must compete in at least three events, including a state-level meet if it is held.
For the 65th National Open Athletics Championships, the rule is stricter. Athletes must participate in at least four competitions. One of these must be either the National Federation Cup, the Inter-State Championships, or any AFI event held after the Inter-State meet.
However, AFI has allowed some relaxation. Outstanding athletes who performed well in 2025 and are recovering from injuries can be given exemption, but only if they are under AFI observation.
Relay team selections will follow AFI’s existing policy.
Importantly, the National Federation Cup will act as the final selection trial for the Commonwealth Games and Asian U-23 Championships, while the Inter-State Championships will decide selection for the Asian Games.

Adam Gemili has officially announced his retirement from competitive athletics, bringing the curtain down on an accomplished career in sprinting.

The British athlete competed across the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m events, earning global recognition for his consistency and versatility.

Gemili’s achievements include a full set of medals at the World Championships in the 4x100m relay — gold, silver, and bronze — along with multiple European Championship titles.

He also claimed gold at the World Junior Championships and secured two silver medals at the Commonwealth Games.

Before fully committing to athletics, Gemili was also a talented footballer, representing Chelsea and Reading at the youth level.

His journey from dual-sport athlete to elite sprinter highlights a career defined by dedication, adaptability, and success on the international stage.

 

Cooper Lutkenhaus is set to make his Wanda Diamond League debut in the men’s 800m at the BAUHAUS-Galan meet in Stockholm on June 7.

The young middle-distance runner enters the race with growing momentum after becoming the youngest World Indoor Champion in history.

His debut at one of the premier meets on the global circuit marks a significant step in his transition to elite outdoor competition.

With the Diamond League stage known for high-quality fields, all eyes will be on Lutkenhaus to see how he performs against top international athletes.

This race could be an early indicator of his potential impact in the 800m this season.

Noah Lyles is set to return to Paris, the city where he made history, as he headlines the 100m at the Wanda Diamond League on June 28.

The Olympic champion will compete at Stade Charléty, a venue where he remains unbeaten.

Lyles has previously delivered standout performances at the stadium, clocking 9.97 seconds in the 100m in 2023 and an impressive 19.65 seconds in the 200m in 2019.

His return adds significant excitement to the Paris leg of the Diamond League, with fans eager to see if he can recreate his dominant form.

With a strong record at the venue and momentum from past successes, Lyles will once again be the athlete to watch on the track.