Amar Singh Devanda, a 33-year-old ultrarunner from Rajasthan, has smashed the national record to win the Asia Oceania 100km Ultra Championship in Bangkok on November 22-23, 2025, clocking an unprecedented 6:59:37.
He is the first Indian ever to break the 7-hour barrier in this grueling race, helping India clinch the men’s team gold. AFI officials hailed his achievement as historic for Indian athletics.
Teammates Saurav Kumar Ranjan and Geeno Antony also performed strongly, contributing to India’s success. This victory follows Devanda’s rapid rise from a rural, non-athletic background to becoming an international ultramarathon champion.
Breaking the 7-Hour Barrier: A National and Continental Milestone
Amar Singh Devanda’s astounding finish of 6 hours, 59 minutes, and 37 seconds crushed the previous best Indian record of 7:04:52 held by Vipul Kumar since 2022. This breakthrough is the first sub-7-hour finish by an Indian in the ultra-distance 100km race, a feat that positions Devanda among Asia’s elite ultramarathoners.
The race took place under tough conditions with elevated humidity, yet Devanda demonstrated remarkable endurance and pace management. AFI President Adille Sumariwalla congratulated Devanda in a social media post, calling the achievement “a monumental effort that will inspire generations.”
Indian teammates Saurav Kumar Ranjan and Geeno Antony also made the podium, finishing third and fourth respectively, underscoring India’s growing dominance in Asia Oceania ultrarunning.
On the women’s front, Tenzin Dolma and Aarti Zanwar helped India secure the team gold with silver and bronze medals respectively, demonstrating the strength of the entire Indian contingent of 11 athletes.
From Humble Roots to Global Ultrarunning Excellence
Amar Singh’s story is one of determination and profound grit. Until 2016, he was not part of any formal athletic training or school sports. His unconventional entry into ultrarunning came after years of hard labour in farming and dairy work-a background that ironically forged his natural endurance and resilience.
This physical discipline from rural life became the foundation of his running prowess. Between 2016 and now, Devanda’s rise was swift and spectacular. His 2024 victory at the IAU Asia & Oceania 24-Hour Championship in Canberra, where he covered a national record 272.537 kilometres, marked his first major international success.
Those years shaped a fiercely competitive ultrarunner who trains intensely, often without the extensive infrastructure that international athletes enjoy. His progress is emblematic of many Indian athletes who emerge from modest backgrounds yet compete at the highest levels through sheer perseverance.
The Indian Ultramarathon Landscape
The Asia Oceania 100km Ultra Championship was more than a personal triumph for Devanda; it signalled India’s rising stature in the ultrarunning world. The Indian ultramarathon team’s collective success points to an evolving ecosystem supported increasingly by the Athletics Federation of India and private clubs.
However, challenges around exposure, training facilities, nutrition, and sponsorship remain. Devanda and his teammates have relied heavily on self-motivation, occasional international appearances, and limited coaching to scale global podiums.
His recent preparation for the 100km race included a grueling 24-hour World Championship stint in France, which tested his stamina limits. AFI officials vow to bolster support for such athletes, aiming to elevate India’s presence in ultra-endurance sports globally.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
Amar Singh Devanda’s victory exemplifies the triumph of relentless human spirit and discipline beyond formal avenues and privilege.
His journey from fields and dairy sheds to international ultrarunning fame reminds us how enduring values of hard work, patience, and community support can lead to extraordinary success.
This achievement urges us to rethink how sports infrastructure and grassroots programmes can identify and nurture hidden talents from diverse regions of India.
