Animesh Kujur Poised to Shine at Home in First-Ever National Indoor Athletics Championships
Bhubaneswar, March 24, 2026 – Animesh Kujur, the reigning national record holder in both the 100 and 200 metres, is gearing up for a historic challenge as he competes in the 60m race at the inaugural National Indoor Athletics Championships. The event, set to take place at the Kalinga Indoor Stadium in Bhubaneswar, marks a significant milestone in Indian athletics, and Kujur is determined to make his mark on home soil.
Learning from Past Mistakes for a Fresh Start
In a recent statement, Kujur reflected on the lessons learned from a demanding previous season. His year began with a stellar performance, clocking 10.2 seconds to set the 100m national record at an international event in Greece. He further solidified his dominance by improving his own national mark in the 200m at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, in June.
However, the 21-year-old sprinter admitted that his performances dipped as he participated in numerous competitions to secure direct qualification for the World Championships in Tokyo. "I was practically spent by the time I went to the Tokyo Worlds. I wanted to qualify directly and in that quest, I ran too many races. Now I will not commit the same mistake; we have a better plan," Kujur explained. He trains at the Reliance High Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar, which adds a personal touch to this home event.
Exciting Competition Ahead in the 60m Dash
Kujur expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming 60m race, where he will face off against competitors like Gurindervir Singh and others. "This will be fun. Probably as a sprinter, one has to go all out in six seconds, whereas in the 100m, you have more time. I will give my all," he said. His coach, Martin Owens, highlighted the unique challenges of the indoor format, noting that the shorter distance could level the playing field.
"There would be pressure as some of the guys are closer to him in the 60m as opposed to the 100m where he can pull away. But this would be a great competition for him," Owens remarked, acknowledging the home-ground advantage and heightened expectations.
Other Stars Embrace the Indoor Atmosphere
The inaugural championships have also attracted other top athletes, including Praveen Chithravel, the national record holder in triple jump. Chithravel shared his preference for indoor competitions, stating, "Fans are closer to you, and you feel alive. I am taking part in the long jump and hope to do well, as this is the first national indoors in our country."
The event will kick off with the men's 3000m race, which will award the first medal, followed by the women's final. This historic competition promises to showcase emerging talent and set new benchmarks in Indian athletics.
- Animesh Kujur holds national records in 100m and 200m.
- He aims to avoid over-racing mistakes from last season.
- The 60m race at Kalinga Indoor Stadium features strong competition.
- Coach Martin Owens sees it as a valuable challenge.
- Praveen Chithravel praises the intimate indoor setting.
