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News18
6 days ago
- Sport
- News18
'That's The Art Of Sprinting': How Animesh Kujur Mastered India's Fast Lane
Animesh's journey from a raw talent who couldn't squat without falling over to India's national record holder is a story of individual brilliance aided by systematic excellence At 22, the sprinter from Chhattisgarh has shattered barriers that seemed insurmountable just two years ago. With personal bests of 10.18 seconds in the 100m and 20.32 seconds in the 200m, both national records set in 2025, Animesh has become the face of India's sprinting. His recent gold medal victory at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet in Bhubaneswar, India's first-ever hosting of such an event, marked another milestone in what has been an extraordinary season. 'I was happier seeing the crowd than for the win itself because for athletics, it means a lot," Animesh reflects on his Continental Tour triumph. 'It's a big deal that such a large crowd was there. When my name was called at the blocks, it was a whole different feeling. India was cheering for me so much." The moment captures Animesh's journey – a young man who has gone from relative obscurity to becoming what World Athletics vice-president Adille Sumariwalla calls 'the greatest Indian sprinter by far'. His victory in Bhubaneswar, clocking 20.77 seconds in challenging humid conditions, showed not just his speed, but his ability to perform under the intense pressure of home expectations. 'You just physically looked at him. He's got all the right stuff. He's a big unit, he's 6'2, muscular, just lacked mobility, a bit of finesse," Owens explains. 'He couldn't squat without falling over. He was like the tin man out of The Wizard of Oz. But when he was moving, he was actually very quick." The initial challenges were significant. 'I was getting really annoyed with the first rep he did for me that was meant to be flat out," Owens recalls. 'I thought, what's the point of me being here? I'm not going to try. And then I looked at the times, I thought, that's quick. So, when he's moving very, very fast, he looks like he's not trying. And that's the art of sprinting." This revelation shaped Owens' approach to coaching Animesh, focusing on technical refinement while preserving the natural fluidity that made him special. The Swiss Connection: Technical Mastery in the Alps The rapid progression in Animesh's career has been aided by training camps in Switzerland with renowned coach Chris Woolley. The experience was transformative, addressing technical deficiencies that had been holding him back. 'I would say about 0.2 to 0.35 seconds improvement," Animesh quantifies the impact of his Swiss training. 'My coach believes in technique being everything. Mostly, I focused on the start. They tested me with different exercises and told me my lower body needs more work, so the start will improve." Owens provides deeper insight into the Swiss experience: 'We did a lot of coordination work. We did an awful lot of postural work. Every morning, we were up at 6:00 doing postural work overlooking the mountains, Swiss flag fluttering in the background. It was really inspiring stuff." The camp wasn't just about technical improvements. 'We used the Kaiser machines a lot. We did a lot of work on starts, over speed work, then running in the cold and wet. Just over that fear of running in the rain," Owens details. The results were immediate. Shortly after the camp, Animesh broke the national 100m record with 10.18 seconds in Greece, a moment he describes with characteristic honesty: 'When I crossed the finish line, I saw the clock stop at 10.80s. I had a personal best, but I was happy but also not fully satisfied because I missed the national record. I didn't wear glasses and the timing board was far; I couldn't see it well early on, but when the coach congratulated me, I was like Oh my God, I broke the national record." A Season of Breakthroughs and Learning The 2025 season has been a masterclass in progression and adaptation. Starting with his Asian Championships bronze medal, where he set his 200m national record of 20.32s, Animesh has navigated the pressures of international competition with growing maturity. His Monaco Diamond League experience, where he became the first Indian sprinter to compete in the elite event, provided invaluable exposure to world-class competition. 'I am satisfied with the Diamond League, because it's not like, 'Okay, I ran 20.55s,'" Animesh explains. 'But what I saw was how top world athletes warm up and everything. I learned a lot. I saw all the professional ways; that mattered a lot." The Diamond League also provided unexpected connections. 'My roommate was from South Africa, and he spoke with the under-20 world champion via video call. That guy said, 'Bro, I know you; I saw you in reels and all.' That moment felt like Instagram made me famous worldwide. His name is Bayanda Walaza, and I met him again at the World University Games; he knew me beforehand." The Balancing Act: 100m vs 200m One of the interesting aspects of Animesh's career has been his success in both sprint events. Owens' philosophy on the dual approach is clear: 'I don't think they're two mutually exclusive things. The two complement each other. One makes you a better finisher, and the other one makes you a better starter." Animesh's personal preference is evident: 'My favourite is 200m, but I do 100m mainly for start practice because start and lean matter a lot in 100m. 100m is a side event for me; the main is 200m." This approach has yielded remarkable results. His progression in both events has been systematic, with his 100m national record of 10.18s making him the first Indian to run under 10.20s, while his 200m record of 20.32s is a significant leap forward for Indian sprinting. The Reliance Foundation Advantage Central to Animesh's development has been the comprehensive support system at the Reliance Foundation Youth Sport Odisha High Performance Centre. The facility represents a new model for athletic development in India. 'When I wasn't with Reliance, it was just running around. I saw how athletes live, and it is very different for me now," Animesh explains. 'To make an international-level athlete, everything must be in place — diet, surroundings, recovery staff, coaching. No one in India really has this setup or culture like we do here, especially in Odisha." Owens emphasises the holistic approach: 'Here at the HPC, we're trying to holistically grow our athletes. We're trying to build people with good models, good ethics. We believe in a clean sport, believe in competing fairly." The center's philosophy extends beyond athletics. 'I'm trying to build an independent athlete that doesn't need me so much," Owens explains. 'So ultimately, that Animesh can go on and become another coach and pass those, hopefully, the good parts." Coaching Philosophy: Building Champions, Not Just Athletes The relationship between Animesh and Owens has evolved from simple coach-athlete to something more nuanced. 'At the beginning, he just did what I said. Walk on your hands around the track, he'd done it," Owens recalls. 'But now he's getting to the point where he feels he can tell me, I'm not happy with this, I feel this, what do you think?" This evolution in many ways is an extension of Owens' broader coaching philosophy: 'It's not undermining authority if athletes ask you. It's showing that they care, and they just don't understand. So, if you're going to explain it to them, you'll get more work out of them. You'll get a better result because they'll buy in." Mental Fortitude and Handling Pressure Despite his young age, Animesh has shown remarkable composure under pressure. His handling of being labeled as India's fastest man belies his age. 'I believe on making the record, it's done. Yesterday's fame is gone. Now you must focus ahead according to targets," he states. 'The national record stuff will continue but is secondary. Our ultimate target is sub-10 seconds for the 100m and sub-20 seconds for the 200m." Owens' assessment of Animesh's mental strength is telling: 'He loves it all. He's a fan of the sport. He's not overwhelmed by it. He's tough, he's mentally tough." But Animesh had to learn it the hard way. He was first chasing medals, then records; however, he runs freely now. 'Initially, the focus was medals, then once I ran under 21 seconds [in 200m], focus shifted to national records and rankings. They told me not to think too much. Run freely, it will happen when it happens. From 2023 to 2025, I blindly ran, then did 20.40s. For the Asian qualification, the standard was 20.53s, and I had to qualify. It was my first international event representing India officially. After a week, I ran 20.45s in Dubai. I realised that if you overthink, records won't happen. Same story with 100m. I wasn't thinking about medals but just running. Then I won medals and broke national records," quips Animesh. The coach's approach to psychological preparation is also pragmatic: 'The best way to psychologically cope with performance is to be in the best shape of your life when you step on that line. When you're cool to your marks, you're not saying, I wish I'd done more here." The Long Season and Lessons Learned The 2025 season has been particularly demanding, with Animesh competing from the Asian Championships in May through the Continental Tour in August, with stops at the Monaco Diamond League and World University Games in between. 'It's been a very, very long season," Owens acknowledges. 'We finished off last year on the 31st of December at the universities, where he ran for a bit of fun and ran 20.50s. Then we went in and we obviously had a fantastic time at the national games. That was February. We haven't really stopped since." The season included both triumphs and disappointments. At the World University Games, Animesh finished fourth in the 200m final, missing a medal by just 0.10 seconds. Owens reflects on the experience: 'Slight misjudgment in the semifinals cost him a medal in the final, and that's the level we're at now." However, the experience provided valuable lessons. 'What I noticed was what it was like, really, to be at that elite level when we were at the Diamond League, those guys are professionals. The intensity is higher, the commitment is higher," remembers Animesh. Global Connections and Social Media Fame Animesh's growing international profile has been helped by social media, something he acknowledges with characteristic honesty. His interaction with other world-class athletes, including conversations with Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo at Monaco, has helped normalise his presence on the world stage. 'They all talked like friends. I saw that these guys perform without pressure, just chill. They don't take it too seriously all the time. They dance, sing, enjoy their lives. I observed all their warm-up patterns and focus during events—they do everything with intensity." Short-term Goals: Tokyo and Beyond With the World Championships in Tokyo approaching, Animesh faces the challenge of qualifying through world rankings, currently sitting at 44th in the men's 200m (as per latest Aug 5 rankings) with the qualification mark set at 20.16s. 'I have confidence because here the weather is very humid, which affects sprinters mostly. For the World Championships in Tokyo, the conditions will be new. That's why when I compete abroad, I perform better," Animesh explains, referencing his superior performances in European conditions. Owens, though, isn't putting any pressure on his ward: 'There's no expectation there. Just getting there this year is ahead of schedule. It's way ahead of where I thought we'd be this year. It's really good to go when there's no pressure on you. Nobody expects him to do anything there." Long-term Vision: Olympic Dreams and Breaking Barriers Looking beyond Tokyo, Animesh's goals are ambitious yet grounded. 'Short-term goals: next year's Asian Games and Commonwealth Games. Long-term is the Olympics. Middle term goals also include running [under] 20 seconds in 200m." Owens' vision for Animesh extends even further: 'We're looking at a 5-10-year project. If Animesh is still competing when he's 32, that's not unreasonable. It's not unreasonable in this world of sprinting. It's just looking after him, making sure he stays fit, healthy, eating well, sleeping well, doing right things." The technical analysis from Monaco Diamond League provides specific areas for improvement. 'We've got each 10-metre split. We're just a hundredth, two hundredths away from being as fast as the best in the world on 10-metre splits on certain sections of the race," Owens reveals. The Clean Sport Message Both Animesh and Owens are passionate advocates for clean competition. 'Here at the Reliance HPC, we run a clean ship," Owens emphasises. 'And the more examples we have, like Animesh, that you can do it clean, the better." The message is reinforced by their testing record: 'We get tested by NADA on a pretty frequent basis. In August, we've been tested four or five times. Animesh gets tested after every national record, normally after every medal. He got WADA tested when he was away a lot," adds Owens. Animesh's success, rather the progression, is part of a broader transformation in Indian athletics. 'The media around Animesh has been really good. It's been really positive," Owens notes. 'My sport tends to get a lot of negative press around performance-enhancing drugs, things like that. It's really nice to hear positive press about young people who are trying to do their best." The Road Ahead top videos View all As Animesh prepares for the World Championships and looks toward the 2026 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, the road to success is clear: individual brilliance aided by systematic excellence. His partnership with Martin Owens has created a template for developing world-class athletes in India. For Animesh, the focus is simple: 'I always expect to do my best in every competition. I want to do my best in every competition." It's a simple philosophy that has already carried him to great heights in Indian athletics. About the Author Vineet Ramakrishnan Vineet R, an accomplished sports journalist with over 13 years of experience in digital media, currently serves as the Associate Editor - Sports at CricketNext and News18 Sports. With a specialization in More Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. News18 Sports brings you the latest updates, live commentary, and highlights from cricket, football, tennis, badmintion, wwe and more. Catch breaking news, live scores, and in-depth coverage. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : Animesh Kujur Indian Athletics Martin Owens view comments Location : New Delhi, India, India First Published: August 13, 2025, 14:59 IST News sports 'That's The Art Of Sprinting': How Animesh Kujur Mastered India's Fast Lane Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. 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The Sun
10-08-2025
- Sport
- The Sun
Malaysian sprinters Azeem, Danish qualify for India finals
MALAYSIAN sprint duo Muhammad Azeem Fahmi (pic) and Danish Iftikhar Muhammad Roslee have successfully advanced to the men's 100-meter finals at the India Open athletics championship, a Continental Tour Bronze series event held at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, India. The 21-year-old Azeem dominated the second heat with an impressive timing of 10.48 seconds, securing first place and automatically qualifying for the final round. His performance demonstrated the form that has made him Malaysia's premier sprinter on the international stage. Danish Iftikhar also earned his place in the elite eight-man final field by finishing third in the same heat with a time of 10.64 seconds, ensuring both Malaysian representatives will compete for medals in tonight's championship race. Prior to departing for India, Azeem had expressed his determination to deliver positive results for Malaysia while utilizing every international competition opportunity to improve his personal records. 'My hope for this trip to India is to perform at my absolute best, not just for myself but for the country,' the young sprinter had stated to Kosmo. 'God willing, we will attempt to better our seasonal records, and if possible, I want to establish a new personal best. Most importantly, we want to enjoy the competition and hopefully find ourselves on the podium.' In the women's 100-meter category, Zaidatul Husniah Zulkifli successfully progressed to the finals after clocking 11.97 seconds in her second heat. However, teammate Nor Aisyah Rofina Aling fell short of qualification, recording 12.14 seconds which was insufficient to advance. The men's 200-meter event proved disappointing for Malaysia as Pengiran Aidil Auf Hajam could only manage sixth place in his second heat with a time of 21.95 seconds, missing out on the final by a considerable margin. Tonight's 100-meter finals promise intense competition, with Azeem and Danish expected to face formidable challenges from host nation athletes and several other Southeast Asian representatives all vying for the championship title. The Continental Tour Bronze series provides valuable international exposure for Malaysian athletes while offering crucial ranking points and preparation for major championships including the upcoming Asian Games and World Athletics events. Both Malaysian sprinters will be looking to capitalise on their strong qualifying performances and potentially secure Malaysia's first medals at this prestigious athletics meeting.
Hans India
09-08-2025
- Sport
- Hans India
Racing Towards Glory: Odisha Hosts the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze Today
History is being made today at the iconic Kalinga Stadium, Bhubaneswar, as Odisha hosts India's first-ever World Athletics Global Meet—the Continental Tour Bronze. Organised in collaboration with World Athletics and the Athletics Federation of India, this prestigious event brings together over 200 elite athletes from 19 countries, turning Odisha into the epicenter of world-class athletics. This landmark reinforces Odisha's position as India's premier hub for athletics and international sporting events. The state's world-class infrastructure, athlete-focused policies, and strong international partnerships have earned global recognition. Athletes from India, Great Britain, Portugal, Australia, South Africa, Iraq, Iran, Korea, Malaysia, the Philippines, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Algeria, Turkmenistan, and more will compete across thrilling track and field events, with results impacting qualifications for upcoming international championships. Odisha's journey to hosting this milestone began with the 2017 Asian Athletics Championships, which welcomed athletes from 45 nations. Since then, it has successfully staged prestigious competitions like the Federation Cup, Indian Grand Prix, National Inter-State Championships, and multiple junior nationals. The Kalinga Stadium, with its IAAF-certified synthetic track and international-grade facilities, stands at the heart of this achievement, supported by a growing network of district and block-level athletics stadiums. The state's athlete-first approach—ranging from high-performance training and expert coaching to grassroots talent scouting in rural and tribal regions—has transformed potential into podium finishes. Odisha's athletes benefit from modern facilities, scientific training, nutritional guidance, financial support, and secure government jobs, making sports a sustainable career choice. Speaking on the occasion, Shri Suryabanshi Suraj, Hon'ble Sports Minister of Odisha, said, 'Hosting the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze in Odisha for the first time is a moment of immense pride. We are fully prepared to organise it successfully and deliver a world-class experience for athletes and spectators alike.' More than just an international meet, today's event marks a turning point in India's sporting journey. For young athletes, it's a rare opportunity to witness top-tier competition up close—fueling ambition, inspiring dreams, and reinforcing Odisha's place on the global athletics map. With the world watching, the cheers at Kalinga Stadium today will echo far beyond Bhubaneswar—signalling that Odisha has truly arrived on the world athletics stage.
New York Times
16-04-2025
- Climate
- New York Times
‘Weather doping' in Throw Town: Discus records tumble in Oklahoma but not without controversy
Discus records were smashed at the Continental Tour Bronze in Oklahoma but the event and the achievements were not without controversy. A Swedish commentator felt 'weather doping' was at play as the event at Millican Field in Ramona was hit with high wind speeds throughout. Discus, unlike track and jumping events, has no restrictions on the impact of wind speed or direction with regard to upholding records. Advertisement Mykolas Alekna, the Paris 2024 silver medallist from Lithuania, broke his own world record twice at the event on Sunday, recording 74.89m on his opening throw before bettering that with an effort of 75.56m. In doing so, the 22-year-old became the first man to pass the 75m mark. His previous record, set at the Oklahoma venue almost exactly a year ago, stood at 74.35m. THE FIRST 75M THROW BY A MAN EVER! MYKOLAS ALEKNA, 75.56M!!!! — Paul Hof-Mahoney (@phofmahoney) April 13, 2025 Australia's Matthew Denny also posted a throw of 74.78m. He was one of five men to clear 70m, a feat not achieved in the same discus event before Sunday. 'I don't know whether to laugh or cry,' Swedish commentator Mats Wennerholm said, per Reuters. 'It just becomes ridiculous in a competition boosted by gale-force winds. Weather doping should be added to the banned list.' Former Norwegian 800m champion Vebjorn Rodal, meanwhile, said Millican Field is 'sought out for throwing far.' Millican Field has several throwing circles facing different directions, allowing athletes to better adjust depending on the conditions. The venue has been dubbed 'throw town' because of its perceived advantage to competitors. Thor Gjesdal of the Norwegian Athletics Federation said it would be 'difficult to change the rules now,' adding it is 'difficult to quantify the benefit' of wind assistance in throwing events like it is with track. The Athletic has contacted World Athletics for comment. Wind was also in play on the other side of the world on Sunday, as teenage sprinter Gout Gout had his record-breaking 200m time of 19.84 seconds ruled out after it was adjudged he was aided by a tailwind of +2.2 metres per second in Perth, Australia. That came two days after Gout won the Under-20 100m Australian title in 9.99s, also achieved with a tailwind above the permitted limit. (Photo of Alekna competing at the 2024 Paris Olympics:)
Reuters
15-04-2025
- Climate
- Reuters
Day of monster discus throws condemned as 'weather doping'
April 15 (Reuters) - Performance-enhancing drugs have long been the scourge of athletics field events but now some observers are claiming "weather doping" was behind a slew of discus records at a meeting in the United States on Sunday. Lithuania's Mykolas Alekna, the 2024 Olympic silver medallist, smashed his own world record when he became the first man to pass the 75-metre mark with a throw of 75.56m at the Continental Tour Bronze event at Ramona, Oklahoma. The 22-year-old bettered his own previous mark of 74.35m, set at the same venue last year, having also passed it with his opening throw of 74.89 on Sunday. Australia's Matthew Denny also impressed, surpassing Alekna's record from last year with a throw of 74.78m as five men cleared 70 metres at the same event for the first time. Valarie Allman also smashed the U.S. women's record with a throw of 73.52m - the longest by a woman for 36 years. However, various Scandinavian commentators and coaches said the extraordinary performances were enabled by the venue's engineered design, which appears to take advantage of high wind speeds. Unlike various track events and the horizontal jumps, the discus throw has no restrictions on wind assistance when it comes to validating records and Millican Field in Oklahoma features several throwing circles positioned to help athletes take advantage of the wind direction. "Mykolas Alekna smashes his own world record with a 75.56 throw in a wind-battered Ramona and I don't know whether to laugh or cry," Swedish commentator Mats Wennerholm said. "It just becomes ridiculous in a competition boosted by gale-force winds. Weather doping should be added to the banned list." "It's a different sport," Staffan Jonsson, the coach of Sweden's Olympic and world champion thrower Daniel Stahl said. Norway's former Olympic 800m champion-turned pundit Vebjorn Rodal said: "It's blowing like crazy here. There's no doubt this arena is sought out for throwing far." Thor Gjesdal of the Norwegian Athletics Federation said the weekend results would be ratified and more wind-assisted throws can be expected, despite the criticism. "It is more difficult to quantify the benefit of wind in the same way as in running," he said. "It will be difficult to change the rules now."
