India’s hopes of a deep run in the men’s 100 metres at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games came to a disappointing end on the very first day after national record holder Gurindervir Singh failed to qualify for the semifinals—not because he lacked the speed, but because of a costly lapse in race execution.

Competing in Heat 4, Gurindervir finished second behind Jamaica’s Rohan Watson, who won the race in 10.13 seconds. The Indian crossed the line in 10.39 seconds, a performance that ultimately left him around 20th overall, with only the 17 fastest athletes across the 11 heats progressing to the semifinals.

The final qualifying spot went to Kuron Griffith of Barbados, who advanced with 10.24 seconds, leaving Gurindervir 0.15 seconds outside the cutoff.

The margin, however, tells only part of the story.

Having run strongly through the first two-thirds of the race, Gurindervir appeared to believe qualification was assured. In the closing metres, he visibly eased off his effort before the finish line and was even seen giving a thumbs-up towards his support staff before crossing the tape.

That premature celebration proved decisive.

In sprinting, athletes are taught to run through the finish line, not to it. Every hundredth of a second can determine qualification, especially in championship formats where athletes from different heats advance on time. By easing up over the final 20 metres, Gurindervir surrendered valuable time that could have comfortably secured his passage into the next round.

The result was particularly painful given his pedigree. Just weeks ago, the Punjab sprinter had rewritten the Indian record with a blistering 10.09 seconds, establishing himself as the fastest Indian in history. On paper, he possessed more than enough speed to qualify safely.

Instead, a race that appeared comfortably under control turned into one of the most frustrating exits of India’s athletics campaign.

Rather than being beaten by faster opponents, Gurindervir’s Commonwealth Games ended because of a misjudgment at the finish—a rare but costly lesson in championship sprinting, where athletes race the clock as much as those in the lanes beside them.

For more visit Commonwealth Games 2026

India’s 200m national record holder, Animesh Kujur, continued his remarkable rise in sprinting by producing a sensational lifetime best of 10.14 seconds in the men’s 100m final at the PUMA Fast Arms Fast Legs 2026, finishing second in the race.

Animesh had already impressed by clocking 10.19 seconds in the heats before improving to a blistering 10.14 seconds in the final.
The performance is now the fastest 100m ever recorded by an Indian outside the country.

It also strengthens his position as the second-fastest Indian in history over the distance, behind only Gurindervir Singh’s national-leading mark of 10.09 seconds.

Animesh had already become India’s second-fastest man over 100m earlier this season with a time of 10.15 seconds. He has now bettered that mark to 10.14 seconds, with both performances coming in the 2026 season.

The new personal best further underlines Animesh’s consistency at the highest level. He now owns three of the five fastest 100m performances ever recorded by an Indian, cementing his status as one of the country’s premier sprinters.
India’s All-Time Fastest Men’s 100m Performances

1. Gurindervir Singh – 10.09s
2. Animesh Kujur – 10.14s
3. Animesh Kujur – 10.15s
4. Gurindervir Singh – 10.17s
5. Animesh Kujur – 10.18s

India’s Sandramol Sabu narrowly missed out on a place in the women’s 400m final at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026, following the conclusion of the qualifying heats in Ordos, China.

Competing in Heat 1, Sandramol clocked 55.00s to finish sixth, falling short of the qualification criteria for the championship final. Despite a determined effort, her time was not enough to secure one of the available qualification spots in a highly competitive field.

The qualification format saw the top three finishers from each heat (Q) automatically advance to the final, with the next two fastest athletes (q) across both heats completing the eight-athlete lineup. Sandramol was unable to finish within the automatic qualification positions or secure one of the two fastest non-automatic qualifying spots, bringing India’s campaign in the women’s 400m to an end.

The fastest performance of the qualifying round came from Naomi Johnson of the Philippines, who impressed with a time of 52.10s across the two heats. Meanwhile, Sri Lanka’s Jithma Shenari Gamage claimed victory in Heat 2, clocking 53.94s to comfortably progress to the final.

Although Sandramol will not feature in the medal race, competing at the Asian U23 Championships provided another valuable opportunity to test herself against some of the continent’s leading young quarter-milers. The championships continue to serve as an important stepping stone for athletes aiming to transition successfully to the senior international level.

India will now turn its attention to the remaining track and field events, where several athletes remain in contention for medals. While the women’s 400m campaign concluded in the heats, the Indian contingent will be looking to build on its encouraging performances elsewhere at the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships as the competition progresses in Ordos.

India will have two representatives in the men’s 400m final at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026, with Setu Mishra and Astik Pradhan successfully progressing through the heats in Ordos, China.

Astik Pradhan delivered one of the standout performances of the qualifying round, producing a composed run to win Heat 2 in 46.51s. The Indian quarter-miler controlled the race well and finished strongly to secure automatic qualification for the final, reinforcing his credentials as one of the contenders for a podium finish.

In Heat 1, Setu Mishra also earned his place in the final after clocking 47.28s to finish fourth. His performance was sufficient to book a spot in the championship race, ensuring India will have a strong presence in the event with two athletes competing for medals.

The successful qualification of both runners is an encouraging result for the Indian contingent, reflecting the depth of the country’s emerging talent in the men’s 400m. The event has traditionally been one of India’s stronger disciplines, and the performances of Setu and Astik continue that trend at the continental U23 level.

Astik’s heat-winning run will provide him with confidence heading into the final, while Setu will look to build on his qualifying performance as both athletes prepare for the decisive race. With two Indians lining up in the final, the country will have multiple opportunities to challenge for a place on the podium.

The men’s 400m final is scheduled to be held tomorrow at 6:35 PM IST, where Setu Mishra and Astik Pradhan will take on Asia’s leading young quarter-milers in pursuit of championship honours.

With both athletes progressing successfully through the heats, India has strengthened its prospects in one of the premier track events at the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships, and all eyes will now be on the final as the duo aims to convert qualification into medals.

India will have two representatives in the men’s 200m final at the inaugural Asian U23 Athletics Championships after Abhay Singh and Gokul Pandiyan successfully progressed through their respective heats in Ordos, China.

Abhay Singh produced an impressive run to finish second in Heat 2, clocking 21.11 seconds to qualify automatically for the final. Gokul Pandiyan also secured his place in the medal race, finishing third in Heat 1 with a time of 21.51 seconds.

China’s Youwen Huang emerged as the fastest qualifier after recording 20.84 seconds, while Japan’s Kota Uematsu posted the second-fastest time of 20.98 seconds. They were the only two athletes to break the 21-second barrier during the heats.

With two sprinters in the final, India will look to challenge for a podium finish when the men’s 200m final gets underway at 6:35 PM IST.

India’s challenge in the men’s 100m came to an end in the heats at the Asian U23 Athletics Championships 2026, with both Vibhaskar Kumar and Sam Vasanth missing out on qualification for the final.

Vibhaskar Kumar produced the better of the two Indian performances, clocking 10.50s to finish fourth in Heat 1. Despite a competitive run, his time was not enough to secure a place among the eight finalists.

In Heat 3, Sam Vasanth crossed the finish line in 10.66s, finishing sixth in his race. Like Vibhaskar, he was unable to advance to the medal round as the competition featured a strong field of sprinters from across Asia.

With both athletes falling short of the required qualification standard for the final, India will not have a representative in the men’s 100m title race at the championships.

The fastest performance of the opening round came from Malaysia’s Md. Fahimi, who impressed by clocking 10.15s across the three heats. His run established him as the quickest qualifier heading into the final and underlined the high standard of competition in the event.

Although the result marks a disappointing outcome for the Indian contingent in the men’s 100m, both athletes gained valuable experience competing against some of Asia’s leading young sprinters on the continental stage. The Asian U23 Athletics Championships continue to serve as an important platform for emerging athletes to test themselves against top regional competition and build experience for future senior international events.

Attention will now shift to the remaining events, where the Indian contingent will look to secure strong performances and challenge for podium finishes. While the men’s 100m campaign has concluded in the heats, India will be aiming for better results in the championships’ upcoming competitions.

The men’s 400m final at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 delivered one of the finest one-lap races in Indian domestic athletics, with five athletes breaching the Asian Games qualification standard in a single race.

Representing Tamil Nadu, Vishal TK produced a brilliant performance to clinch the national title in 45.43s, leading a high-quality field and comfortably surpassing the Asian Games qualification mark. His victory capped off one of the most competitive 400m finals witnessed at the Interstate Championships in recent years.

Manu T S of Kerala secured the silver medal after clocking 45.60s, while Jay Kumar of Uttar Pradesh claimed bronze in 45.73s. Both athletes dipped well below the qualification standard, highlighting the exceptional depth in Indian men’s quarter-mile running.

The quality of the race extended beyond the podium. Dharmveer Choudhary of Rajasthan finished fourth in 45.90s, while Rajesh Ramesh of Tamil Nadu placed fifth with 45.91s. Both athletes also achieved the Asian Games qualification standard, making it a historic race in which all five leading finishers crossed the required benchmark.

The performances underline the remarkable progress Indian men’s 400m running has made in recent years. Having five athletes qualify in a single final reflects the increasing competitiveness of the event and provides a significant boost for Indian athletics ahead of major international competitions.

The Interstate Championships have once again proven to be the country’s premier stage for athletes to produce qualification-standard performances. The men’s 400m final, in particular, stood out for its quality, with every athlete in the top five delivering a time worthy of continental competition.

While all five athletes have successfully achieved the Asian Games qualification standard, qualification alone does not guarantee selection. The final Indian squad for the Asian Games 2026 will be determined by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) Selection Committee, which will make the final selection based on its established criteria.

The race will be remembered as a landmark moment for Indian quarter-mile running, showcasing unprecedented depth and strengthening India’s prospects in the event on the international stage.

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.