Animesh Kujur has etched his name in the annals of Indian athletics by shattering the national record in the 100m sprint. The 22-year-old sprinter clocked an impressive 10.18 seconds at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meeting in Vari, Greece, on Saturday. This feat not only makes him the fastest Indian man ever but also marks the first time an Indian has run the 100m in under 10.20 seconds.
Kujur's record-breaking performance eclipses the previous national record of 10.20 seconds, set by Gurindervir Singh earlier this year at the Indian Grand Prix. Competing in Final B at the Municipal Stadium of Vari K Baglatzis, Kujur outpaced Greek runner Sotírios Garaggánis (10.23) and Finland's Samuli Samuelsson (10.28) to win his heat. Overall, he finished third behind South Africa's Benjamin Richardson (10.01) and Oman's Ali Anwar Al-Balushi (10.12).
This achievement is a testament to Kujur's consistent progress and dedication to his sport. His new record is also a significant improvement on his previous personal best of 10.27 seconds. Kujur's success signifies a shift in Indian athletics, particularly in sprinting, where India has historically excelled in middle- and long-distance events.
Animesh Kujur's journey to becoming India's fastest man has been marked by consistent performances and technical refinement. Hailing from Odisha, he has earned a reputation for his ability to deliver peak performances in both the 100m and 200m sprints. He is now the national record holder for 100 metres, 200 metres and 4 × 100 metres relay. Earlier this year, Kujur also secured a bronze medal in the 200 metres at the Asian Athletics Championships. At the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, the Republic of Korea, Kujur clocked 20.32 seconds.
Kujur was also part of the record-setting Indian men's 4x100m quartet, alongside Gurindervir, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain, at the National Relay Carnival 2025, where they clocked 38.69 seconds in Chandigarh.
Kujur's record-breaking run has been met with praise and excitement from the Indian sports community. Many believe that with continued progress and international training, the dream of an Indian sprinter breaking the 10-second barrier may soon be a reality.
Kujur's recent performance in Greece also included a 20.73 finish in the 200m race, placing him seventh. Additionally, the Indian team of Animesh Kujur, Lalu Bhoi, Jayaram Dondapati, and Gurindervir Singh clocked 39.99 seconds in the men's 4x100m relay event, finishing behind Turkiye.
As Animesh Kujur continues to train and compete on the European circuit, his achievements serve as an inspiration for aspiring sprinters in India. His record-breaking performance has not only cemented his place as India's fastest man but has also boosted his confidence for upcoming global meets, including the World Athletics Championships in Paris and the 2026 Asian Games.
