Pranav Gurav Blazes to India’s Third-Fastest Time of the Season

The battle for the title of India’s fastest man intensified at the Indian Athletics Series-6 in Chennai, as Pranav Pramod Gurav delivered a career-defining performance in the 100m sprint. Representing Reliance, Gurav clocked a blistering 10.32s, not only clinching the gold but also registering the third-fastest time by an Indian this season.

Gurav’s victory is a testament to his rapid development within the high-performance ecosystem. This 10.32s mark is just shy of his personal best of 10.27s set last year, proving that the 24-year-old is finding his peak rhythm just as the international calendar begins to heat up.

Securing the silver medal was Odisha’s Lalu Prasad Bhoi, who made a statement in his first outdoor individual race of the year. Bhoi clocked 10.42s, a solid season opener that mirrors his consistency from 2024, where he famously clocked a 10.34s. Known for his explosive start, Bhoi’s transition from indoor training to the Chennai heat suggests he will be a major threat at the upcoming National Inter-State Championships.

The podium was completed by the reigning U20 Federation Cup champion, Abhay Singh. Fresh off a historic “sprint double” at the National Junior Championships in Tumkur—where he shattered the national junior 200m record with a time of 20.82s—Abhay proved he can hold his own against the senior elite. He finished third in 10.47s, further cementing his status as India’s most exciting sprint prospect.

With three sprinters dipping well below the 10.50s mark, the 100m final in Chennai served as a reminder of the rising depth in Indian sprinting. As Gurav leads the pack with a season-best, the pressure is now on the rest of the field to respond before the Asian circuit kicks into high gear. For Reliance and the coaching staff, seeing both Gurav and the young Abhay on the podium is a clear win for their developmental strategy.

 

The men’s 100m at Indian Series-6 looks packed with quality names as per the AFI start list:
* Lalu Prasad Bhoi — Indoor 60m silver medallist
After winning silver at India’s first Indoor Championships and clocking a time better than the previous national record, this will be Lalu’s first outdoor individual competition of the season.
* Tamil Arasu S — Inter-State 100m champion
Tamil Arasu won gold at the same stadium while registering his lifetime best of 10.22s to become the Inter-State 100m champion. He has already clocked 10.23s this season at Indian Series-1.
* Pranav Gurav — Federation Cup 100m champion
The 2025 Federation Cup 100m champion will be looking to better his season’s best here. He has featured in only one competition this season, clocking 10.47s at Indian Series-3.
* Abhay Singh — Junior Federation Cup 100m champion
Abhay recently became the U20 sprint champion, dominating both the 100m and 200m at the Junior Federation Cup while also bettering the U20 200m national record.
The competition is scheduled for May 10, 2026, at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Chennai.

At just 18, Mohammed Ashfaq is quickly becoming one of the most exciting names in Indian athletics. The Kerala sprinter delivered a stunning performance, clocking 46.05 seconds in the 400m, a new U20 national record and the fastest time in Asia this season.
What makes this run even more special is the scale of improvement. Ashfaq shaved nearly half a second off his personal best, a huge leap in a one-lap race. His timing now stands as India’s seventh fastest this season and places him 20th on the country’s all-time list.
His rise, however, has been building steadily. At the start of 2026, he ran 48.10s in Trivandrum. Soon after, he improved to 46.83s in New Delhi, showing clear progress.
At the ongoing Junior Federation Cup, he dominated the heats with 47.39s, breaking the Asian U20 qualification mark, and followed it up with another strong 46.83s in the semifinals.
Now, with both Asian and World U20 standards achieved, Ashfaq is knocking on the door of the elite sub-46 club. If this momentum continues, Indian 400m running may have found its next big star.

Abhay Singh underlined his rising stature as one of India’s brightest U-20 sprint talents with a sensational performance at the Junior Federation Cup.

Clocking a blistering 10.41 seconds in the men’s 100m final. In the process, he shattered the eight-year-old meet record of 10.47 seconds set by Gurindervir Singh.

The race marked a complete performance — a personal best, a meet record, and a statement of intent at the national level.

Vikrant Panchal is having a breakthrough season. The Indian quarter-miler recently dipped under the 46-second barrier for the first time, clocking 45.88s despite battling illness. In this conversation with Athletics India, Panchal opens up about his journey, setbacks, mindset, and what lies ahead.

Q: Your first sub-46 run — what does it mean to you?

Vikrant Panchal:
“It feels great. I started in 2017 with a time of 49.59s, so this has been a long journey. Last year, I ran 46.17 and felt I was close. This season didn’t start well either — I made mistakes in Jaipur and then fell sick. But I kept working. To finally run 45.88 means a lot.”

Q: You were unwell just before the race. How tough was it to compete?

Vikrant Panchal:
“It was very tough. I had fever, food poisoning, and was even hospitalised two days before. On race day morning, my temperature was 102°F. My parents told me to skip it, but I didn’t want to give up. That mindset comes from my idol, Mike Tyson — never back down.”

Q: Looking back, do you feel you missed opportunities earlier?

Vikrant Panchal:
“Yes, especially last year. I knew I was close to sub-46. Even at the Open Nationals, I felt I could have done it if I wasn’t unwell. That stayed with me.”

Q: Why did you choose the 400m?

Vikrant Panchal:
“It’s a very demanding event. You have to push through pain and stay in control. In the last 100m, it’s all about fighting. That challenge draws me to it.”

Q: What are your targets next?

Vikrant Panchal:
“The Federation Cup is next, and I want to improve further. I’m also aiming for the Asian Games — both in the relay and individually.”

Q: Tell us about your mindset during races.

Vikrant Panchal:
“I focus on running my own race. Before this run, I was watching Michael Johnson talk about the ‘4 Ps’ — push, pace, position, pray. I followed that, and it worked.”

Q: You enjoy running the relay anchor leg. Why?

Vikrant Panchal:
“I like pressure. Running last gives me responsibility, and I enjoy that. I also adjust my strategy depending on the race situation.”

Q: How important has your family been in this journey?

Vikrant Panchal:
“Everything I am is because of my father. He left his job to train me. We’ve had financial struggles, but my parents stood by me. I always say — respect your parents. I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Q: Final word on this season?

Vikrant Panchal:
“I just want to keep improving and never give up. No matter the situation, I’ll back myself and keep pushing.”

Animesh Kujur opened his outdoor season with a strong 10.28s to win the men’s 100m in a tightly contested race at the Indian Athletics Series–3 in New Delhi.

The race itself unfolded in phases. Gurindervir Singh was quickest out of the blocks, powering through the first 40 metres and setting the early pace. But the field began to close in, and Kujur responded with a well-timed surge through the latter half of the race.

Right alongside him was S. Tamilarasu, who stayed within touching distance, breathing down Kujur’s shoulder all the way to the finish. Both athletes were clocked at 10.28s, underlining just how close the contest was, with Kujur edging ahead for the win.

Gurindervir, after his fast start, settled for third in 10.40s.