Kujur, Afsal Shatter Indian Athletics Records

Animesh Kujur set a new Indian national 100m record by running 10.18 seconds at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meeting in Greece, surpassing the previous 10.20s record held by Gurindervir Singh. Kujur, who also holds the 200m national record with a time of 20.32s, credited international training and technical improvements, including collaboration with a bobsleigh coach, for his performance. The achievements reflect a surge in Indian sprinting, with sprinters from the Reliance Foundation breaking barriers in recent years. On the same day, Mohammed Afsal Pulikkalakath broke his own national 800m record by clocking 1:44.93 in Poland, becoming the first Indian to run the distance in under 1:45. Both records are pending ratification by the Athletics Federation of India. The successes mark a milestone in Indian athletics, highlighting the impact of advanced coaching and international exposure.