The women’s 400m final at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 produced one of the most remarkable races in recent domestic athletics history, with five athletes surpassing the Asian Games qualification standard in a single final.

Leading the field was Prachi, who claimed the national title with a superb run of 53.24s. She held off a strong challenge from an exceptionally competitive field to secure the gold medal and emerge as the fastest athlete in the race.

Olympian Kiran Pahal finished second in 53.45s, continuing her consistent performances on the national circuit. Close behind her was Devyaniba Zala, who clocked 53.46s to claim the bronze medal after another impressive run.

The depth of the race became even more evident as Neeru Pathak crossed the finish line in 53.47s, just one hundredth of a second behind the bronze medallist, while Rashdeep Kaur completed the top five with 53.61s. All five athletes comfortably finished inside the Asian Games qualification standard, making the final one of the highest-quality women’s 400m races witnessed at the Interstate Championships.

The extraordinary standard of competition highlighted the rapid progress being made in Indian women’s quarter-mile running. Having five athletes achieve the qualification benchmark in a single race reflects the growing depth in the event and provides a significant boost for Indian athletics ahead of major international competitions.

Although all five athletes have successfully achieved the qualification standard, their performances do not automatically guarantee selection for the Asian Games. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Selection Committee will make the final decision on the composition of the Indian team for the 2026 Asian Games.

The Interstate Championships have once again demonstrated their importance as the country’s premier domestic athletics competition, and the women’s 400m final will undoubtedly be remembered as one of the standout events of the meet. With five athletes producing qualification-standard performances in the same race, Indian women’s sprinting has showcased unprecedented depth and competitiveness.

The men’s 400m final at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 produced one of the most exciting races of the competition, with all three medal winners surpassing the Asian Games qualification standard of 45.97s in a display of exceptional depth in Indian quarter-mile running.

Representing Tamil Nadu, Vishal TK stormed to the national title with a superb run of 45.43s, producing one of the finest performances of his career. Maintaining his rhythm through the final bend and finishing strongly in the home straight, Vishal secured the gold medal while comfortably achieving the Asian Games qualification standard.

Kerala’s Manu TS claimed the silver medal after clocking 45.60s, remaining within striking distance of the winner throughout the race. His impressive performance also placed him well inside the qualification benchmark, reinforcing his credentials as one of India’s leading 400m runners.

The bronze medal went to Jay Kumar of Uttar Pradesh, who crossed the finish line in 45.73s. Despite finishing third, Jay also comfortably dipped below the qualification standard, completing a remarkable sweep by the podium finishers.

The final was a testament to the growing strength of Indian men’s one-lap running. With all three medalists running under 45.97 seconds, the event highlighted the depth that has developed in the discipline and reflected the high level of competition within the domestic circuit.

The close contest among the leading athletes ensured an exciting finish, with each of the medal winners producing qualification-standard performances under championship conditions. Such results provide a major boost for Indian athletics as preparations continue for the Asian Games.

The Interstate Championships have once again demonstrated their importance as a platform for athletes to achieve qualification standards and compete against the nation’s best. Vishal TK’s title-winning performance, combined with outstanding runs from Manu TS and Jay Kumar, made the men’s 400m final one of the highlights of the championships and reinforced India’s growing reputation as a producer of world-class quarter-milers.

The women’s 400m final at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 lived up to expectations, producing one of the most competitive races of the meet as all three medal winners surpassed the Asian Games qualification standard of 53.72s.

Representing Uttar Pradesh, Prachi emerged victorious after a strong finish, stopping the clock at 53.24s to clinch the national title. Delivering a composed race from start to finish, she held off a determined challenge from an experienced field to secure the gold medal and achieve the Asian Games qualification standard.

Olympian Kiran Pahal claimed the silver medal with a time of 53.45s, once again demonstrating her consistency at the national level. The experienced quarter-miler remained in contention throughout the race and comfortably dipped below the qualification benchmark to strengthen her credentials ahead of future international competitions.

The battle for bronze was equally intense, with Devyaniba Zala crossing the finish line in 53.46s, just one hundredth of a second behind Kiran. Her performance not only earned her a place on the podium but also secured the Asian Games qualification standard, completing a remarkable sweep by the top three finishers.

The narrow margins between the medal winners highlighted the growing competitiveness of Indian women’s one-lap running. With only 0.22 seconds separating gold and bronze, the final showcased the depth and quality emerging in the event, providing a positive sign for Indian athletics.

Having all three podium finishers qualify for the Asian Games benchmark in the same race reflects the progress being made in the women’s 400m. The Interstate Championships once again proved to be an ideal platform for athletes to deliver qualification-standard performances under championship conditions.

Prachi’s national title, combined with the outstanding runs by Kiran Pahal and Devyaniba Zala, made the women’s 400m one of the standout events of the championships. Their performances underline India’s increasing strength in the event and offer encouraging prospects for the country’s quarter-milers on the international stage.

The women’s 100m final at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 produced an exciting contest, with Maharashtra’s Sudeshna Shivankar sprinting to the national title in a time of 11.59s.

Sudeshna delivered a powerful performance from the start, maintaining her momentum through the finish to secure the gold medal. Her winning time left her agonisingly close to achieving the Asian Games qualification standard of 11.54s, missing the mark by just 0.05 seconds.

Despite narrowly falling short of the qualification benchmark, Sudeshna’s performance was one of the standout sprint displays of the championships. Her ability to produce a sub-11.60-second run under championship pressure highlighted her growing stature in Indian women’s sprinting and reaffirmed her position among the country’s leading short-distance athletes.

The race also witnessed an impressive performance from Karnataka’s Sneha SS, who claimed the silver medal after clocking 11.65s. Sneha remained in contention throughout the race and produced a strong finish to secure second place, adding another quality performance to an increasingly competitive domestic sprint circuit.

The women’s 100m final showcased the rising standard of sprinting in India, with the leading athletes pushing each other to faster times. The close competition between Sudeshna and Sneha reflected the depth emerging in the event and provided an encouraging sign for Indian athletics ahead of future international competitions.

While the Asian Games qualification mark remained just out of reach, Sudeshna’s victory demonstrated that Indian sprinters are continuing to close the gap on international standards. Missing the benchmark by only five hundredths of a second serves as motivation as she looks ahead to upcoming competitions.

With Sudeshna Shivankar claiming the national title in commanding fashion and Sneha SS producing a strong silver-medal performance, the women’s 100m final stood out as one of the most competitive track events of the Interstate Championships, offering plenty of optimism for the future of Indian sprinting.

Indian athletics witnessed one of its most iconic moments on Saturday as Kerala’s Ancy Sojan shattered the long-standing women’s long jump national record, soaring to a magnificent 6.88m at the 65th Interstate Athletics Championships 2026.

The remarkable jump came on her fifth attempt and erased the legendary mark of 6.83m set by Anju Bobby George in 2004. For more than two decades, the record had stood untouched despite several generations of Indian jumpers attempting to surpass it.

Now, that historic benchmark belongs to the 25-year-old Ancy Sojan.

Competing in excellent form, Ancy produced the performance of her career when it mattered most. As the competition reached its decisive stages, she unleashed a near-perfect jump, landing at 6.88m and sending the stadium into celebration. The effort not only secured the national record but also strengthened her status as one of Asia’s leading long jumpers.

Ancy’s rise has been years in the making. The Kerala athlete has steadily developed into a consistent international performer, representing India at major global competitions, including the Asian Games and World Championships. Known for her explosive speed on the runway and technical consistency, she has been among the country’s best jumpers for several seasons.

In recent years, Ancy has repeatedly threatened the national record, producing a series of jumps beyond 6.70m and establishing herself as a genuine medal contender at the continental level. However, surpassing Anju Bobby George’s iconic mark remained one of the biggest challenges in Indian athletics.

That challenge has now been conquered.

The significance of the record extends beyond the numbers. Anju Bobby George’s 6.83m symbolized an era in which Indian athletics first began making a mark on the global stage. Breaking that record signals the arrival of a new generation capable of pushing Indian field events to even greater heights.

Animesh Kujur clinched the men’s 100m title at the 65th National Inter-State Athletics Championships, clocking 10.28 seconds to finish ahead of Maharashtra’s Pranav Gurav, who took silver in 10.39 seconds. While the victory added another national title to Kujur’s growing collection, the final proved to be a disappointing outing for India’s leading sprinters.

Both Kujur and Gurav finished well outside the Asian Games qualification standard of 10.16 seconds, with neither athlete able to produce the kind of times that have recently raised expectations for Indian men’s sprinting.

The result was particularly underwhelming given the extraordinary performances witnessed at the Federation Cup just weeks ago. There, Gurindervir Singh became the first Indian man to break the 10.10-second barrier, setting a sensational national record of 10.09 seconds. The competition also saw the national record rewritten multiple times as Gurindervir and Kujur pushed each other to historic performances, with Kujur himself clocking 10.15 seconds before Gurindervir lowered the mark even further.

Those performances signalled a new era for Indian sprinting and suggested that consistently fast times were becoming the norm. Against that backdrop, the Inter-State final failed to live up to expectations.

Kujur remains one of India’s finest sprinters and has enjoyed a breakthrough season, establishing himself among the country’s fastest ever athletes and emerging as a genuine contender on the Asian stage. However, his winning time of 10.28 seconds was well below the level he has shown himself capable of producing.

With the Asian Games qualification mark still out of reach in this race, India’s top sprinters will now be hoping to rediscover their record-breaking form in the competitions ahead.

The men’s 400m hurdles final at the 65th Interstate Athletics Championships 2026 produced one of the most dramatic finishes of the competition, as Palaksha Yashas and T. Santhosh crossed the finish line together in a breathtaking photo finish.

After a fiercely contested race, both athletes were credited with an identical time of *49.14 seconds*, underlining just how evenly matched they were over the full lap of hurdles. The razor-thin margin made for one of the highlights of the championships, with the winner determined only after the photo finish was reviewed.

The result carried even greater significance as *both Yashas and Santhosh comfortably breached the Asian Games qualification standard*, sealing their places for the continental showpiece with outstanding performances.

The race showcased the growing quality and depth in Indian men’s 400m hurdles, with two athletes pushing each other to exceptional times under pressure. Their head-to-head battle not only entertained the crowd but also demonstrated the rising standards in an event that has become one of India’s strongest on the track.

With both Palaksha Yashas and T. Santhosh securing qualification, India will head into the Asian Games with multiple contenders capable of competing at the highest level. Their thrilling duel at the Interstate Championships will be remembered as one of the standout races of the meet and a major boost for Indian athletics.

Vithya Ramraj delivered yet another statement performance at the 65th Interstate Athletics Championships 2026, storming to victory in the women’s 400m hurdles with a superb time of 56.07 seconds. The Tamil Nadu athlete looked in complete control throughout the race, comfortably taking the gold medal while reinforcing her status as one of India’s premier quarter-milers over hurdles.

Kerala’s Anu R produced an equally impressive run to finish second, ensuring a thrilling one-two finish. More importantly, both athletes went well under the Asian Games qualifying standard of 57.21 seconds, securing their qualification with plenty to spare.

For Vithya, the performance continues her consistent run of form on the national circuit. The experienced hurdler has been India’s leading name in the event over the past few seasons and once again showcased her ability to deliver when it matters most.

Anu R’s breakthrough performance is equally significant. Going comfortably below the qualification mark highlights the growing strength of Indian women’s 400m hurdles, with multiple athletes now capable of competing at the continental level.

With both Vithya Ramraj and Anu R booking their places for the Asian Games, India heads into the international season with encouraging depth in one of its strongest track events. Their performances at the Interstate Championships underline the steady rise of the women’s 400m hurdles and provide optimism for the challenges ahead.

The men’s triple jump emerged as one of the highest-quality competitions of the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships, with six athletes surpassing the Athletics Federation of India’s (AFI) Asian Games qualification standard in a fiercely contested final.

Leading the way was national record holder Praveen Chithravel, who clinched the gold medal with a best leap of 16.92m, reaffirming his position as India’s top triple jumper.

The battle for the podium was intense, with Karthik finishing second after clearing 16.80m, while Selva Prabhu claimed bronze with 16.79m, just one centimetre behind the silver medallist.

Men’s Triple Jump Final

 Praveen Chithravel – 16.92m
 Karthik – 16.80m
 Selva Prabhu – 16.79m
 Abdulla – 16.54m
 Mohanraj J – 16.53m (Personal Best)
 Gailey Venister – 16.48m (Personal Best)

All six athletes bettered the AFI’s qualification standard for the 2026 Asian Games, underlining the remarkable depth that has developed in Indian men’s triple jumping.

Praveen Chithravel, who holds the national record and has represented India at the World Championships and Asian Games, once again showcased his consistency on the domestic circuit. While his winning mark fell short of his personal best, it was enough to secure another national title in a field packed with quality.

One of the biggest positives from the competition was the emergence of new talent. Mohanraj J and Gailey Venister both produced lifetime-best performances, signalling the arrival of a new generation capable of pushing India’s established jumpers.

The close margins throughout the competition reflected the increasing competitiveness of the event. Just 44 centimetres separated the gold medallist from the sixth-place finisher, with five athletes clearing at least 16.50 metres.

The performances also strengthen India’s prospects in the event ahead of the 2026 Asian Games in Nagoya. While achieving the AFI qualification standard is an important milestone, the final composition of the Indian team will be decided by the Athletics Federation of India’s Selection Committee.