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.