Animesh Kujur is set to make history as the first Indian sprinter to compete at a Diamond League event. The 22-year-old will participate in the men's 200m U23 race at the Monaco Diamond League on Friday, July 11.

Kujur's participation in the Monaco Diamond League marks a significant milestone for Indian sprinting. He will be up against some of the world's best young talents, including Australian sprinter Gout Gout. This event presents a valuable opportunity for Kujur to test his skills against top-tier competition and further elevate his performance. His coach, Martin Owens, believes that facing better sprinters will push Kujur to achieve even faster times.

Kujur has been in impressive form recently, setting national records in both the 100m and 200m. He clocked 10.18 seconds in the 100m at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meeting in Greece. In the 200m, he recorded a time of 20.27 seconds. In May 2025, Kujur won a bronze medal in the 200m at the Asian Athletics Championships.

Kujur's coach has been working on improving his start, specifically the first two strides, to enhance his overall race. Kujur has been training at the Swiss Olympics Centre, focusing on his strides at the start of his race. He also attributes his improved form to a two-week camp in Switzerland where he worked on body mechanics with his coach and Chris Woolley, a Swiss-based bobsleigh performance coach.

The Monaco Diamond League 200m U23 race is scheduled for Friday, July 11, at 11:17 PM IST.

Kujur is aiming to qualify for the World Championships in Tokyo and is determined to break the 20.16sec qualifying mark. He is confident that the competition from other top athletes will motivate him to achieve his goal. Kujur said, "What I'm feeling now is I'm going to crack that time,”.

Avinash Sable, the Indian national record holder in the men's 3000m steeplechase, will also be competing at the Monaco Diamond League.

Inspired by Usain Bolt, Kujur's journey to the Diamond League has been marked by dedication and hard work. He acknowledges the significance of this opportunity, stating, "It's a very nice thing that I'm competing with athletes who are faster than me. Whenever I compete with faster athletes, my times improve".

Kujur's participation in the Monaco Diamond League is not only a personal achievement but also a moment of pride for India. His success serves as an inspiration for young athletes across the country, encouraging them to pursue their dreams on the global stage.