Animesh Kujur breaks national record to win bronze in men's 200m at Asian Athletics Championships
Animesh Kujur broke the men's 200m national record with a 20.32s run to win bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships on Saturday in Gumi, South Korea.
Earlier this year, he set the national record at 20.40s during the Federation Cup.
With this medal, Animesh matched Dharambir Singh's 2015 feat as India's second-ever 200m medalist at the Asian Championships.
In Gumi, Towa Uzawa of Japan won gold with a meet record timing of 20.12. Saudi Arabia's Abdulaziz Atafi bagged bronze with a personal best time of 20.31.
This was India's 19th medal in the ongoing competition. The country stands second behind China, with eight gold, seven silver, and four bronze medals.

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Time of India
2 days ago
- Time of India
Despite fever, state's sprinter bags bronze & sets national record
Raipur: Battling fever, cough, and cold, 21-year-old Animesh Kujur, a 200m sprinter from Ghuitangar village of Kunkuri tehsil in Jashpur district, clinched a bronze medal at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea. Part of the Indian contingent, he made history by completing his race in 20.32 seconds, setting a new national record. Kujur is the second Indian to win a medal at the continental event, an achievement that has brought immense pride to his family and the entire state of Chhattisgarh. Kujur's record-setting time secured him the bronze. Japan's Towa Uzawa won the gold medal in 20.12 seconds, while Saudi Arabia's Abdul Atafi claimed silver in 20.31 seconds. Kujur expressed his happiness after the win. "The start was not good. Good curve running enabled me to win a medal at the Asian meet," he said. Kujur improved his personal best with this performance. His previous best was 20.40 seconds, recorded at the Federation Cup in Kochi in April. With this run, he broke Amlan Borgohain's previous national mark of 20.52 seconds. Athletic coach Dinesh Tandhi told TOI he spotted Animesh in a state athletic championship and invited him to join after observing his talent. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Giao dịch vàng CFDs với mức chênh lệch giá thấp nhất IC Markets Đăng ký Undo "I wanted to polish his talent. He underwent rigorous training for a period of one year in 2021," Tandi said. The coach also revealed that Kujur battled cough, cold, and fever a day before the competition. "Even though he overcame cough and cold, fever was a bit there when he arrived at the competition," Tandi added. Chhattisgarh athletics association president Mahendra Ahuja and others have congratulated Kujur on his achievement.


Hans India
3 days ago
- Hans India
Hardwork, determination were clearly visible: PM Modi lauds Indian athletes for strong show at Asian Athletics Championships
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi lauded the Indian athletes' superb show at the recently concluded Asian Athletics Championships, saying the "hard work and determination of every athlete were clearly visible" throughout the tournament. Indian athletes won 24 medals, eight gold, 10 silver and six bronze at the Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea, finishing second in the final medal standings behind China. "India is proud of our contingent for their stupendous performance at the recently held 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea. The hardwork and determination of every athlete were clearly visible throughout the tournament. Best wishes to the athletes for their future endeavours," PM Modi shared on X. India is proud of our contingent for their stupendous performance at the recently held 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea. The hardwork and determination of every athlete were clearly visible throughout the tournament. Best wishes to the athletes for their future… — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 2, 2025 Over 60 Indian athletes competed at the continental tournament in South Korea from May 27 to 31. The 26th edition of the Asian Athletics Championships featured over 2000 athletes. Indian athletes participated in a total of 30 medal events - 15 for men, 14 for women and one mixed team - over the five-day competition. Servin Sebastian won the first medal for India by bagging a bronze in the men's 20km race walk event on the opening day of the competition. Gulveer Singh won the first gold medal for India in the men's 10000m while Rupal Chaudhary was the first Indian woman to finish on the podium at Gumi with a silver in the 400m. Gulveer Singh also won the gold medal in the men's 5000m. The Indian 4x400m mixed relay team also successfully defended their continental crown. The women's 4x400m relay team also bagged gold at Gumi. Jyothi Yarraji successfully retained her women's 100m hurdles crown, finishing ahead of a strong field while Avinash Sable became the first Indian man in 36 years to win a steeplechase gold at the Asian Athletics Championships. Animesh Kujur (200m) and Parul Chaudhary (3000m steeplechase), meanwhile, set new national records in their events. Tejaswin Shankar became the first Indian to win two medals in the decathlon at the Asian Athletics Championships. Tejaswin, who holds the national record in the event, finished with 7,618 points to claim silver, adding to his bronze from the 2023 Championships. Meanwhile, Ancy Sojan (6.33m) and Shaili Singh (6.30m) finished second and third, respectively, in the women's long jump event.


Time of India
3 days ago
- Time of India
Kohli's aggression and Hardik's grit fuel young paddler Ankur's rise in table tennis
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