At just 22, Animesh Kujur from rural Chhattisgarh has emerged as India’s fastest man, breaking barriers and rewriting sprinting history. He recently clocked sub-10.20 in the 100m, made his Diamond League debut, and is now on track to qualify for the upcoming World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
From Tribal Roots to National Record-Holder
Born in Ghuitangar village, Kujur’s journey began with local encouragement and early identification by grassroots talent scouts. He stormed into national headlines in June when he broke the national 100m record with a time of 10.18 seconds, becoming the first Indian sprinter to dip below the 10.20-second barrier. He also holds the national 200m record at 20.32 seconds, set during the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea, where he clinched a bronze medal.
International Breakthrough at Monaco
Kujur made history as the first Indian sprinter to compete in the prestigious Diamond League, where he raced against some of the world’s top U-23 athletes in Monaco. In the 200m final, he finished fourth with a time of 20.55 seconds, narrowly missing out on a podium spot. His team credits a specialized training program in Switzerland—guided by bobsleigh strength coach Chris Woolley—for refining his starts and race technique.
Momentum in Switzerland
Continuing his impressive season, Kujur clocked 10.28 seconds in the 100m heats at the Luzern Athletics Meet in Switzerland, his third-fastest career time. His coach highlighted that subtle factors like wind resistance, track conditions, and reaction time are all crucial in slicing milliseconds off elite sprint timings.
Eyes on Tokyo: World Championship Qualification
With the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo scheduled for September, Kujur is determined to qualify in both the 100m and 200m events. He’s currently focused on breaking the 20.16-second qualification mark in the 200m and believes he’s edging closer to the iconic sub-10-second milestone in the 100m. “I’ll qualify, don’t worry,” he told reporters confidently, underlining his single-minded determination.
A Symbol of Transformation in Indian Sprinting
Animesh Kujur’s rise coincides with a larger revolution in Indian athletics. Over the past year, national records have been shattered in the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m relay events. This transformation is being fueled by improved facilities, better coaching, international exposure, and athlete collaboration through programs like the Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre.
Kujur trains alongside other top sprinters like Gurindervir Singh, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain. Their friendly competition has raised overall standards and brought Indian sprinting into the global spotlight.
What Lies Ahead
- Tokyo 2025 World Championships: Kujur aims to compete in both sprint events.
- Breaking the 10-second barrier: A goal that would place him among global sprinting elites.
- Consistency in global meets: Maintaining form across high-level competitions such as the Diamond League and future European circuits.
Final Take
Animesh Kujur’s journey from a small tribal village to the global athletics stage is a powerful story of grit, talent, and opportunity. By breaking national records, competing internationally, and staying laser-focused on Tokyo, he has become the face of India’s sprinting resurgence.
As he inches closer to the sub-10-second dream, Kujur is no longer just chasing medals—he’s redefining what’s possible for Indian athletics. The sprint to greatness has begun, and India’s fastest man is setting the pace.
Photo Credit: India Today
