At 22, Animesh Kujur from Chhattisgarh has made history by becoming the first Indian male sprinter to qualify for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. He clinched gold in the 200m at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships in Chennai with a meet record time of 20.63 seconds.
Earlier this season, Kujur shattered national records in both the 100m (10.18 seconds) and 200m (20.32 seconds), won bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships, and gained global sprinting experience at the Diamond League. Officials applaud his dedication, emphasising the significance of this breakthrough for Indian sprinting. His coach stresses that Tokyo will be more of a learning platform than a medal contest at this stage.
Sprint Sensation from Humble Beginnings
Kujur’s journey to becoming a national sprinting icon began by chance at a school race in Raipur, Chhattisgarh. What started as a casual run quickly grew into a passionate quest to excel on the track. In 2025, Kujur’s career has skyrocketed as he broke longstanding national records multiple times with consistent performances both in India and abroad. His 100m run at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays in Greece clocked 10.18 seconds, beating the previous national record by 0.02 seconds.
\Similarly, he smashed the 200m record twice, culminating in his 20.32 seconds finish at the Asian Athletics Championships in Korea. Kujur’s dedication and hard work have earned him recognition as one of India’s fastest sprinters ever. “We didn’t expect to break national records so early in the season. He is really an all-round athlete,” said his coach Martin Owens, who has been instrumental in polishing Kujur’s raw talent.
Breaking Barriers and Setting New Standards
Kujur’s achievements mark a paradigm shift for Indian sprinting, a discipline where the country has historically underperformed at the elite level. Prior to Kujur’s rise, India’s strengths were primarily in middle- and long-distance races rather than sprints. His ascent has opened new pathways, supported by better training infrastructure and exposure to international competition.
Besides excelling individually, Kujur was a key part of the 4x100m relay team, setting a new national record of 38.69 seconds. His win at the National Inter-State Athletics Championships with a meet record time emphasizes his growing dominance. Athletics Federation of India officials have hailed his qualification for the World Championships as a “watershed moment” signaling India’s arrival on the global sprinting map. Kujur is currently ranked 42nd in the Road to Tokyo rankings, reinforcing his place among the world’s elite emerging sprinters.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Animesh Kujur’s journey from running barefoot on dusty tracks in Chhattisgarh to becoming an international sprint star is a powerful story of resilience, determination, and opportunity. At The Logical Indian, this stride forward in Indian sports represents more than just athletic triumph. It is a call to action for inclusive investment in sports infrastructure and grassroots development across the country.
Kujur’s success underscores the potential hidden in under-resourced areas, waiting to be nurtured by access and encouragement. We stand by the values of empathy and collective growth, believing that sports can unify and inspire society at large.
