Interstate Athletics Championships 2026: Vithya Ramraj, Yashas, Santhosh Shine as Multiple Athletes Secure Asian Games Qualification

The 65th National Interstate Senior Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar continued to produce outstanding performances as several Indian athletes achieved the qualification standards for the 2026 Asian Games across track events.

The biggest highlights of the day came in the men's and women's 400m hurdles, where multiple athletes comfortably secured qualification, while the men's 1500m produced two qualifiers in a highly competitive race. Elsewhere, Parul Chaudhary claimed another national title, while the 100m finals showcased both promise and areas for improvement ahead of the international season.

One of the most thrilling races of the championships came in the men's 400m hurdles. Palaksha Yashas and T. Santhosh produced a sensational battle over the final metres, with neither athlete willing to concede until the finish line. After an intense final sprint, both athletes were officially timed at 49.14 seconds, with the winner determined only after a photo finish.

More importantly, both performances comfortably surpassed the Asian Games qualification standard, making it a memorable evening for Indian men's 400m hurdles. The result reflects the growing strength and depth of the event in India, where multiple athletes are now consistently capable of running below the qualification benchmark. With two athletes producing identical qualifying performances in the same final, India heads into the Asian Games cycle with renewed confidence in the discipline.

India's joint national record holder Vithya Ramraj once again demonstrated why she remains the country's leading women's 400m hurdler. The Tamil Nadu athlete stormed to victory in 56.07 seconds, comfortably defending her domestic supremacy while securing another Asian Games qualification. Her performance also moved her to the fourth-fastest time in Asia this season, underlining her credentials as one of the continent's strongest medal contenders.

Behind her, Anu R produced another excellent race to claim silver in 56.54 seconds. Like Vithya, she also comfortably cleared the Asian Games qualification mark of 57.21 seconds, ensuring India now has two athletes ready to compete at the continental level. The women's 400m hurdles has become one of India's strongest track events, and the performances in Bhubaneswar only reinforced that reputation.

Yoonus Shah Leads Strong Men's 1500m Field

The men's 1500m also delivered quality performances. Yoonus Shah of Uttar Pradesh claimed the gold medal in 3:37.55, holding off a strong challenge from training partner Gulveer Singh, who finished second in 3:38.31. Both athletes comfortably achieved the Asian Games qualification standard, making it another successful event for Indian middle-distance running. Rahul Baloda completed the podium with a respectable 3:40.07, adding further depth to an increasingly competitive domestic field.

For Gulveer Singh, already one of India's leading distance runners, another qualifying performance adds to an impressive season that has seen him excel across multiple events.

Although the 1500m is not considered her primary event, Parul Chaudhary once again demonstrated her remarkable versatility. The Asian Games medallist won the women's 1500m in 4:20.45, narrowly missing the Asian Games qualification standard of 4:19.45 by just one second. Despite falling short of the automatic mark, Parul remains one of India's strongest medal hopes in her specialist events the 5000m and 3000m steeplechase.

Uttarakhand's Ankita pushed the race deep into the closing stages before settling for silver in 4:20.78, ensuring a highly competitive final.

The men's 100m final belonged to Animesh Kujur, who secured gold in 10.28 seconds. Pranav Gurav finished second in 10.39 seconds, completing a solid domestic performance. However, both athletes remained outside the Asian Games qualification standard of 10.16 seconds.

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Given Kujur's proven ability to run below 10.20 seconds this season, the result was slightly below expectations, although it remains another national title for one of India's fastest sprinters. In the women's 100m, Sudeshna Shivankar impressed with a winning time of 11.59 seconds. The Maharashtra sprinter missed the Asian Games qualification standard by just 0.05 seconds, highlighting how close she is to breaking into the next level.

Sneha SS finished second in 11.65 seconds, as the women's sprint competition continued to showcase the emergence of exciting young talent.

The latest day of competition in Bhubaneswar once again highlighted the growing depth across Indian athletics. From thrilling finishes in the hurdles to strong middle-distance performances and competitive sprint finals, athletes continue to push each other towards international standards. The qualification of Palaksha Yashas, T. Santhosh, Vithya Ramraj, Anu R, Yoonus Shah and Gulveer Singh adds to an already expanding list of Indian athletes who have secured their places for the 2026 Asian Games.

With national records, Asian-leading performances and multiple qualification standards being achieved across disciplines throughout the championships, the Interstate Athletics Championships have become a showcase of Indian athletics' growing strength.

As the countdown to the 2026 Asian Games continues, performances like these provide confidence that India will head into the continental competition with one of its strongest athletics squads in recent memory.