On a humid evening in Chennai, 22-year-old Animesh Kujur sprinted his way into history. With a time of 20.63 seconds in the men’s 200 meters, he not only claimed gold at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships but also became the first Indian male sprinter ever to qualify for the World Athletics Championships.
From Jashpur to the World Stage
Kujur’s journey began in a small tribal village in Jashpur, Chhattisgarh. Raised by police-officer parents, he discovered sprinting at school competitions before earning national attention for his raw speed. His rise has been meteoric — in the past year alone he has broken national records in both the 100 meters (10.18 seconds) and 200 meters (20.32 seconds), while anchoring India’s 4x100m relay team to a record time of 38.69 seconds.
A Breakthrough for Indian Sprinting
India’s athletics legacy has long been rooted in middle- and long-distance running, with sprinters struggling to break into the world elite. Kujur’s qualification represents a seismic shift. “This is a watershed moment for Indian sprinting,” federation officials said, noting that he will line up against the fastest men on the planet in Tokyo this September.
Eyes on Tokyo
Despite his record-breaking performances, his coach, Martin Owens, has urged caution. “This is about exposure — the chance to race shoulder-to-shoulder with the world’s best. The medals will come later,” he said, framing Kujur’s debut as a step toward long-term greatness.
Symbol of a New Generation
For many, Kujur embodies the emergence of a new generation of Indian athletes who are breaking past structural and social barriers. His story — from rural beginnings to global sprinting lanes — signals not just personal triumph, but also the possibility that India can finally take its place in the fast lane of world athletics.
