The hunt for hardware moves to the nation’s capital as the third leg of the Indian Athletics Series takes over New Delhi’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium this Saturday, April 11. With the 2026 season officially shifting into high gear, several of India’s heavy hitters—including Asian Championships standout Sachin Yadav—are ready to unleash their first outdoor efforts of the year.
Here are the five powerhouses set to steal the spotlight:
1. SACHIN YADAV (MEN’S JAVELIN THROW)
After a 2025 campaign that sent shockwaves through the circuit, Sachin Yadav is back in the circle to kick off 2026. Last season was pure fire: he bagged silver at the Asian Championships in Gumi, narrowly missed the podium with a fourth-place finish at the Tokyo World Championships, and cemented his status as India’s #3 javelin weapon. Currently grinding at the JLN Stadium under coach Sergey Makarov, Sachin is prepping for a massive Diamond League debut in Doha—the “throwing paradise” where Neeraj Chopra famously cleared 90m last year.
2. POOJA SINGH (WOMEN’S HIGH JUMP)
Pooja Singh has already hit the ground running in 2026, snatching silver at the Asian Indoor Championships with a slick 1.87m clearance. She transitioned to the outdoors at the Indian Open Jumps, topping the U-20 podium with a 1.74m jump. While her sights are locked on the World U-20 Championships, her pedigree is undeniable; she’s the reigning Asian Champion after clearing a 1.89m personal best last year to take senior international gold.
3. ANIMESH KUJUR (MEN’S 100M & 200M)
India’s undisputed speed king, Animesh Kujur, is looking for redemption in Delhi. His 2026 season hit a snag at the National Indoors when a false start in the 60m final resulted in a DQ, making this outdoor opener a vital fresh start. Kujur is coming off a legendary 2025 where he rewrote the record books, setting national records in both the 100m and 200m while adding an Asian Championships bronze to his trophy cabinet.
4. VISHAL T.K. (MEN’S 400M)
The wait is officially over. Vishal T.K., the man who redefined Indian quarter-mile running, is finally lining up for his primary event. The national record holder has made cameo appearances at the National Open Relay and Series 1, but Delhi marks his first 400m showdown since his record-shattering performance in Chennai. Vishal’s 2025 stats were historic: a 45.12s national record and a relentless five sub-46 second performances—the most ever by an Indian in a single season.
5. SHAILI SINGH (WOMEN’S LONG JUMP)
Asian medalist Shaili Singh brings the star power to the sandpit. She opened her account at Series 2 in Bengaluru with a 6.52m leap, though a string of four fouls showed some early-season rust. While she holds a massive 6.76m PB and grabbed Asian bronze in 2025, Shaili is hunting for the consistency that saw her clear 6.64m at the Federation Cup. For the young phenom, the Delhi meet is all about finding that rhythm and pushing back toward the 6.60m+ territory.