The Athletics Integrity Unit has handed a five-year ban to Kenya’s Albert Korir after he tested positive for CERA, a prohibited blood-boosting substance.
Korir, the 2021 New York City Marathon champion, returned positive results in three separate out-of-competition tests conducted in October 2025.
Both urine and blood samples collected on October 3, 13, and 21 confirmed the presence of CERA, an EPO-based substance banned at all times.
Initially facing a six-year ban due to multiple violations, the sanction was reduced to five years after Korir admitted the offence within four days of notification. His ban will run until January 7, 2031.
All results from October 3, 2025, onwards have been disqualified, including his third-place finish at the 2025 New York City Marathon, along with associated medals, prize money, and appearance fees.
The case underscores the continued vigilance of anti-doping authorities in endurance events, particularly concerning blood-boosting substances.
The 24th National Junior Under-20 Athletics Federation Competition 2026 will be held at Mahatma Gandhi Stadium in Tumkur, Karnataka, from April 24 to 26.
The event will bring together the country’s top junior athletes competing across track and field disciplines.
This competition holds significant importance as it will serve as the final qualification trials for the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026.
The global event is scheduled to take place in Eugene, Oregon, USA, from August 5 to 9.
With World Championship spots on the line, the Tumkur meet is expected to play a key role in shaping India’s junior athletics team for the international stage.
Anusha Biswas, the 2024 Junior Nationals 100m bronze medallist, has been banned for four years by NADA’s Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel (ADDP).
The 19-year-old sprinter was initially suspended in January 2025 after testing positive for Metandienone. She appealed the suspension, and her case was subsequently reviewed and adjudicated by the ADDP.
Biswas had recently broken the 12-second barrier at the Junior Nationals 2024, marking her as a rising sprint talent. Her four-year ineligibility period will be counted from January 8, 2025, sidelining her from all competitions until 2029.
The decision serves as a strict reminder of NADA’s zero-tolerance policy on doping, even among young and emerging athletes.
It turned into a heartbreaking day for India’s men’s 4x100m relay team at the Open Relays, as their qualification hopes ended in disqualification.
The team, aiming to secure a spot at the World Relays, was disqualified due to a takeover violation under World Athletics Technical Rule 24.7.
The incident occurred during the race when third-leg runner Manikanta suffered a hamstring issue, disrupting the baton exchange with anchor leg runner Animesh Kujur.
As a result, the baton exchange failed within the designated zone, leading to the disqualification.
In a surprising turn, the team was initially unaware of the decision and had begun warming up for the final before being informed.
Sources indicate that Maldives lodged a protest, although officials had reportedly already begun reviewing the incident prior to the appeal.
India had entered the race ranked 25th in the World Relays standings with a time of 38.75 seconds and needed 38.73 or faster to move into the top 24 — a target that appeared within reach.
Instead, the campaign ended in disappointment, marking a tough setback for a team that showed strong potential heading into the event.
India’s men’s 4x400m relay team delivered a solid performance at the Open Relays, clocking 3:01.43 and placing 16th overall — currently within the qualification zone for the World Relays 2026.
The team featured three athletes with sub-46 season bests: Rajesh Ramesh (45.26), Manu TS (45.96), and Amoj Jacob (45.99), underlining the growing depth in Indian quarter-mile running.
However, national record holder Vishal TK, who owns a personal best of 45.12, is yet to feature in the lineup. His inclusion could be crucial, provided he returns to sub-46 form in upcoming competitions.
A look back at India’s historic run at the 2023 World Athletics Championships offers a clear benchmark. That team, which broke the Asian record and finished fifth in the final, had four athletes capable of running sub-46 seconds.
The formula appears straightforward — to break the three-minute barrier again, India likely needs four runners consistently under 46 seconds.
With the current squad showing promise, the question now is whether they can bridge that final gap and return to sub-3 territory this season.
There was concern for Manikanta Hoblidhar after he appeared to pull his hamstring during the third leg of the relay at the ongoing competition.
Despite the setback, India A showed remarkable determination, completing the race and securing qualification for the finals.
Hoblidhar’s injury momentarily threatened to derail the team’s chances, but the collective effort ensured they stayed in contention.
The incident highlights both the physical demands of relay racing and the resilience required at the highest level.
As the team progresses, attention will now be on Hoblidhar’s recovery ahead of the final.
India A delivered a historic performance at the International Relay National Open in Chandigarh, setting a new national record in the mixed 4x100m relay.
The team, featuring Gurindervir Singh, Sudeshna Shivanka, Tamilarasu, and Tamanna, clocked an impressive 42.30 seconds to break the previous record of 43.44 seconds set by Tamil Nadu in 2025.
In a remarkable race, both India A and India B surpassed the old national record, with both timings also falling within the qualification standard for the World Relays.
The performance highlights a major boost for Indian relay teams as they push towards global competition, with strong signs of depth and speed across squads.
This result not only rewrites the national record books but also strengthens India’s prospects on the international stage.
The Wanda Diamond League has confirmed that its season-opening meeting in Doha, scheduled for May 8, is still set to proceed, though organisers are keeping a close watch on the situation.
In a statement released Friday, the league said it is working in coordination with the Qatar Athletics Federation, local authorities and World Athletics. Athlete and spectator safety remains the priority, with contingency plans under discussion. A final decision is expected at least a month before the event.
The Doha meet traditionally opens the Diamond League season, a 15-stop circuit spanning four continents. Athletes compete across 32 disciplines, collecting points to qualify for the two-day final in Brussels in September.
Last season drew 400,000 spectators globally, underlining the series’ reach and its importance in the international track and field calendar.
Tejaswin Shankar started Day 2 of the decathlon strongly, clocking 14.09s in the 110m hurdles (wind-assisted) and throwing 38.08m in the discus.
In the pole vault, he registered a huge lifetime best of 4.35m, clearing 4.25m and 4.35m both on his first attempts.
His previous PB in pole vault was 4.20m, making this a significant improvement. He finished 2nd in the event, earning 716 points and taking his tally to 6759 points after 8 events.
With just two events remaining — javelin throw and 1500m — a performance close to his PBs could see him cross the 8000-point mark.
Fingers crossed — let’s go TJ!
India’s decathlon national record holder Tejaswin Shankar has made a strong start to his outdoor season, leading the decathlon at the David Noble Relays after Day 1.
Shankar has accumulated 4454 points across the first five events, putting himself in a commanding position heading into the final day.
The highlight of his performance so far has been two personal bests — 10.59 seconds in the 100m and 7.66 meters in the long jump — showcasing his improved speed and explosiveness.
Already holding the national record of 7826 points, Shankar is now pushing towards the elusive 8000-point mark, a milestone that would elevate him to a new level in global combined events.
This marks his first outdoor competition of the season, following a successful indoor campaign where he clinched gold in the heptathlon at the Asian Indoor Championships.
With momentum on his side, all eyes will be on Shankar as he looks to convert his strong start into a landmark performance.
