Animesh Kujur wins 100m at Indian Athletics Series Final as Vishal T K, Aishwarya Mishra shine

The Indian Athletics Series Final in New Delhi delivered a strong showcase of India’s sprinting depth, with Animesh Kujur, Vishal T K and Aishwarya Mishra among the standout performers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium.

With the Asian Games 2026 approaching, the invitation-only season-ending event served as an important domestic test for several of India’s leading track and field athletes. The competition produced some impressive performances, particularly in the sprint events, as athletes looked to end their domestic campaigns on a high.

The biggest headline came from Animesh Kujur, who claimed the men’s 100m title in 10.21 seconds.

The 200m national record holder produced a composed performance to finish ahead of Gurindervir Singh, India’s fastest 100m sprinter, who clocked 10.32s. Rushiprasad Desai completed the podium in 10.33s.

Animesh Kujur's 100m victory adds another significant result to the sprinter’s growing profile. Primarily known for his performances over 200m, Kujur has emerged as one of India’s most exciting sprint prospects and has increasingly demonstrated his ability to compete across the shorter distances.

His 10.21s winning time in New Delhi also provided valuable momentum ahead of the Asian Games. Kujur and Gurindervir are both set to represent India at the continental event, where they will face a considerably stronger international field.

The result also underlined the growing depth in Indian men’s sprinting. Gurindervir, who holds the distinction of being India’s fastest 100m sprinter, was pushed into second place despite running a solid 10.32s. Desai was only 0.01 seconds behind him, highlighting the competitiveness of the domestic field.

Vishal T K dominates men’s 400m

The men’s 400m final was another highlight of the evening, with national record holder Vishal T K taking the gold medal in 45.36 seconds. Vishal produced the fastest time of the race to finish ahead of Jay Kumar, who clocked 45.50s. Manu T S secured the bronze medal after crossing the line in 45.68s.

The depth of the race was particularly striking. Six of the eight athletes in the final broke the 46-second barrier, turning the event into one of the most competitive races of the Indian Athletics Series Final. Vikrant Panchal finished fourth in 45.75s, while Rajesh Ramesh and Dharamveer Choudhary followed with 45.80s and 45.83s respectively.

For Vishal, the victory comes at an important point in his preparations for the Asian Games. The national record holder has already set his sights on producing a medal-winning performance in Nagoya and will now have an opportunity to test himself against the continent’s leading quarter-milers.

The quality of the field in New Delhi also offered an indication of the competition available within India. With multiple athletes capable of running below 46 seconds, the country has a strong pool from which to build its relay and individual campaigns.

Aishwarya Mishra takes the women's 400m title

Maharashtra’s Aishwarya Mishra also finished the event with a gold medal after winning the women’s 400m in a season-best time of 52.51s. Aishwarya held off Prachi, who finished second in 52.75s, while Poovamma Raju took bronze with 52.76s. The close margins made for an exciting women’s 400m final, with only 0.25 seconds separating the top three athletes.

Aishwarya’s season-best performance is particularly encouraging as the Indian athletics season moves towards its international phase. Producing her fastest time of the season at the final domestic event gives her a positive platform to build on. The performances in both the men’s and women’s 400m also highlighted the importance of domestic competition ahead of major championships. With athletes racing against high-quality opposition, the Indian Series Final provided an opportunity to assess current form while identifying areas for improvement before the Asian Games.

The Indian Athletics Series Final was intended to provide the country’s leading athletes with one final competitive opportunity on home soil, and the sprint results ensured the event lived up to its billing.

Kujur’s 10.21s in the 100m, Vishal’s 45.36s in the 400m and Aishwarya’s season-best 52.51s gave Indian athletics several reasons for optimism.

For Kujur, the victory further strengthens his credentials as one of India’s leading sprinting talents. For Vishal, the 400m victory provides another confidence boost before his Asian Games campaign. Aishwarya, meanwhile, leaves New Delhi with a season-best performance at exactly the right time.

The real challenge will come in Nagoya, where India’s athletes will encounter stronger fields and greater pressure. But if the Indian Athletics Series Final was the final domestic checkpoint before the Asian Games, the performances in New Delhi suggest that several Indian sprinters are heading into the continental competition with confidence and momentum.