India’s sprint contingent delivered a tightly contested finish at the inaugural Saudi Grand Prix 2026, with Animesh Kujur and Gurindervir Singh finishing second and third respectively in the men’s 100m.

Both Indian sprinters clocked 10.44s, separated only by a photo finish, while 2025 Federation Cup champion Pranav Gurav was just behind in fourth at 10.45s.

Britain’s David Harrison took the win in 10.42s.

The fourth Indian in the field, Harsh Raut, endured a below-par outing, finishing 11th in 10.75s.

While the Indian trio packed the top four, the timings fell short of their season’s bests in a race that lacked a particularly strong field.

India’s sprint sensation Animesh Kujur continued his impressive rise on the international circuit by clinching the men’s 200m title at the Saudi Grand Prix 2026, clocking 20.77 seconds in a strong field on Saturday.

The 21-year-old edged past Britain’s David Harrison, who finished second in 20.87s, while Toby Harries settled for third place with a time of 21.01s. The victory marks another confident outing for the Indian sprinter, who has rapidly emerged as one of the brightest names in Asian athletics.

Interestingly, this was only Kujur’s second 200m race of the 2026 season. He had opened his campaign earlier this year at Indian Series-3, where he clocked 20.74s, showing early signs of consistency despite limited appearances over the distance so far.

Kujur heads into the remainder of the season carrying significant expectations after a breakthrough 2025 campaign that saw him rewrite Indian athletics history. Last season, the Odisha sprinter shattered the national record in the men’s 200m twice, eventually lowering it to a remarkable 20.32s — a mark that established him as India’s fastest-ever man over the distance.

Known for his explosive acceleration and powerful finish, Kujur has steadily developed into a key figure in India’s sprint revolution. His performances over the past year have not only raised hopes for medals at major continental events but have also brought renewed attention to Indian sprinting on the global stage.

With the Asian Athletics season gathering momentum and major championships approaching, Kujur’s victory in Saudi Arabia serves as another timely reminder of his growing stature and consistency at the elite level

India’s middle-distance star Mohammed Afsal continued his strong run on the international circuit by clinching the men’s 800m title at the Saudi Grand Prix 2026 on Saturday.

The national record holder produced a composed performance to cross the line in 1:48.24s, finishing ahead of South Africa’s Christopher Swart, who clocked 1:48.50s, while Werner Gouws secured third place in 1:48.75s.

Afsal’s victory once again underlined his status as India’s premier 800m runner and one of the finest middle-distance athletes the country has produced in recent years. Known for his tactical awareness and strong finishing kick, the Kerala athlete has consistently carried Indian hopes in the two-lap event on the Asian and global stage.

The 29-year-old enjoyed a historic 2025 season where he rewrote Indian athletics record books. Afsal became the first and only Indian athlete to break the elusive 1:45 barrier in the men’s 800m, clocking a stunning national record of 1:44.93s. He followed it up with another exceptional performance of 1:45.61s, which remains the second-fastest timing ever by an Indian over the distance.

His rise has been significant for Indian middle-distance running, an event where the country has traditionally struggled to consistently compete at the highest international level. Over the past few seasons, Afsal has established himself as a regular presence in elite competitions while steadily improving his race management and consistency.

With major international championships approaching later this season, Afsal’s title-winning performance in Saudi Arabia will provide another confidence boost as he looks to build momentum and continue pushing Indian athletics to new heights.

Krishik M Finishes Third at Saudi Grand Prix 202

India’s rising sprint hurdler Krishik M delivered another encouraging performance on the international stage, finishing third in the men’s 110m hurdles at the Saudi Grand Prix 2026 on Saturday.

Competing against a strong field, Krishik clocked 13.90 seconds despite battling a significant headwind of -2.9 m/s, making it a solid effort in challenging conditions. Cuba’s Kendry Menendez won the race in 13.26s, while the Netherlands’ Job Geerds secured second place with 13.83s.

The performance marked Krishik’s first international competition and continued the momentum from what has been a breakthrough season for the young Indian hurdler. In his previous outing, Krishik had stunned the domestic circuit by registering a massive personal best of 13.44s, a timing that elevated him to the position of India’s second-fastest men’s 110m hurdler of all time.

The result also highlighted his growing consistency and ability to compete alongside experienced international athletes. Hurdling remains one of India’s developing sprint disciplines, and Krishik’s rapid progress has generated excitement about the future of the event in the country.

Known for his quick reaction off the blocks and aggressive hurdle clearance, the youngster has emerged as one of the most promising names in Indian athletics this season. His recent performances have also strengthened hopes of India fielding stronger contenders in sprint hurdles at major Asian competitions in the coming years.

While the timing in Saudi Arabia may not reflect his full potential due to the heavy headwind, the race provided valuable international exposure and experience. For a hurdler still early in his elite journey, finishing on the podium in his first overseas meet represents another significant step forward in what is shaping up to be a breakthrough year.

Leh added a significant new piece to India’s growing sports infrastructure network this week with the inauguration of the country’s highest Astro Turf football ground and synthetic athletics track.

Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena inaugurated the facilities at the Open Stadium in Leh, located at an altitude of nearly 11,500 feet. The project includes an eight-lane synthetic athletics track, Astro Turf football ground, VIP stand and other supporting infrastructure for athletes and spectators.

The facility has been developed under the Khelo India scheme and the Special Development Package and is expected to support football and track and field activities in the region.

For Indian athletics, the synthetic track could hold particular importance given Leh’s natural high-altitude conditions. Altitude training has long been used by endurance athletes globally, and the region could gradually emerge as an option for training camps and conditioning programmes.

The stadium complex also includes long jump pits, volleyball and handball courts, spectator galleries and athlete accommodation facilities.

The project was sanctioned several years ago under Khelo India, with construction and upgrades carried out in phases. Officials said the infrastructure has been designed keeping Ladakh’s weather conditions in mind, allowing for wider sporting use during the accessible months of the year.

An exhibition football match and relay events were organised as part of the inauguration ceremony.

While infrastructure alone does not automatically translate into sporting success, the development is another sign of sports facilities gradually expanding beyond India’s traditional urban centres. For a region like Ladakh, where access and climate remain major challenges, the creation of a full-fledged synthetic athletics and football facility is a notable step forward.

The Diamond League season starts tomorrow, and here’s everything you should know about the prestigious athletics circuit.

What is the Diamond League?

The Diamond League is a series of 15 elite athletics meets held across 13 countries and four continents — Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America. This year’s season runs from May through September.

The first leg of the tournament begins tomorrow, May 16, in China’s largest city, Shanghai.

What events are contested?

There are 32 different disciplines (16 for men and 16 for women) contested throughout the season, with each discipline held seven times across 14 meets.

Here is the full list of events included this season:

100m

200m

400m

800m

1,500m

3,000m / 5,000m

110m hurdles (men), 100m hurdles (women)

400m hurdles

3,000m steeplechase

High jump

Pole vault

Long jump

Triple jump

Discus

Shot put

Javelin

Athletes compete for two things at each event: prize money and points.

Points are awarded based on finishing position, and athletes who accumulate enough points qualify for the two-day Diamond League Final — the 15th and final meet of the season. Along with bigger prize money, athletes also compete for the title of Diamond League champion.

How are points awarded?

When an athlete competes at a Diamond League meet, points are awarded according to their finishing position:

1st place: 8 points

2nd place: 7 points

3rd place: 6 points

4th place: 5 points

5th place: 4 points

6th place: 3 points

7th place: 2 points

8th place: 1 point

Athletes aim to collect enough points to qualify for the Diamond League Final and compete for the overall season title.

Qualification spots for the final vary by discipline:

For 100m to 800m events, the top eight-point scorers qualify

For 1,500m and long-distance events, the top 10 qualify

For field events, the top six qualify

Prize money

The Diamond League will offer a total prize purse of $9.24 million USD this season.

Prize money is entirely gender-equal, with identical payouts for men’s and women’s events across all disciplines.

Diamond League series meeting prize money

1st place: $10,000

2nd place: $6,000

3rd place: $4,000

4th place: $3,000

5th place: $2,500

6th place: $2,000

7th place: $1,500

8th place: $1,000

Diamond League Final prize money

1st place: $30,000

2nd place: $12,000

3rd place: $7,000

4th place: $4,000

5th place: $2,500

6th place: $2,000

7th place: $1,500

8th place: $1,000

India’s 800m national record holder Mohammed Afsal will compete at the Saudi Athletics Grand Prix on May 15-16, 2026, in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet.

Last season, Afsal broke India’s 800m national record twice, eventually registering a lifetime best of 1:44.93s and becoming the first and only Indian athlete to go sub-1:45 in the event.

This season, he has already started strongly by breaking India’s 800m short track record with 1:47.86.

The newly built Nalbari Athletics Stadium in Sorihatali, Nalbari, Assam, will host its first-ever national athletics competition, Indian Series-7 on June 6, 2026.

The single-day meet will feature around 12 events across both the men’s and women’s categories, with a total of 54 finals scheduled for the same day.

“The meet being an inaugural meet will enable the athletes from the interior areas of Assam State to promote athletics,” stated the circular issued by the Athletics Federation of India.

Indian athletics will have strong representation at the Saudi Athletics Grand Prix, with rising stars Krishik M and Shivaji M set to compete at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet in Riyadh on May 15-16, 2026.

Krishik heads into the competition in the form of his life after producing a sensational performance in his last outing. The hurdler clocked a massive personal best of 13.44 seconds in the men’s 110m hurdles, making him India’s second-fastest athlete ever in the event. The timing marked a major breakthrough for the young sprinter-hurdler and underlined his growing consistency at the national and international level.

With the Asian season gathering momentum, the Riyadh meet offers Krishik another valuable opportunity to test himself against a quality international field and continue his push towards the top of the Asian rankings.

Joining him in Saudi Arabia will be distance runner Shivaji M, who will compete in the men’s 3000m event. Shivaji has steadily built an impressive résumé over the last few seasons. Earlier this year, he won the 2026 national indoor title over 3000m and remains one of India’s most promising endurance athletes.

The 2023 Asian U20 Championships bronze medallist in the 5000m will now look to carry that momentum onto the continental circuit. Competing in Riyadh could provide both athletes crucial exposure and ranking points as they prepare for a busy international season ahead.