Animesh Kujur Sprints Into History: India's 100m Record Crushed in Greece

India's Animesh Kujur has etched his name in the annals of athletics by shattering the national 100m record at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meeting in Greece. This landmark achievement highlights the rising prowess of Indian sprinters on the global stage.

India's Animesh Kujur smashed the 100m national record with a timing of 10.18 seconds in Greece. Mohammed Afsal also broke the 800m national record in Poland, highlighting a strong performance by Indian sprinters internationally.

Animesh Kujur runs 100m in 10.18 seconds in Greece. (PTI Photo)

Kujur's Historic Sprint

Kujur, 22, clocked an astounding 10.18 seconds in the second heat, becoming the first Indian ever to break the 10.20-second barrier in the 100m. He eclipsed the previous national record of 10.26 seconds held by Gurindervir Singh.

The World Athletics Continental Tour silver label meet witnessed Sotirios Garagganis of Greece securing second place (10.23s), followed by Samuli Samuelsson (10.28s).

Double National Record Holder

Kujur now proudly holds both the 100m and 200m national records. His dominance was evident earlier this year when he clocked 20.32 seconds in the men's 200m final at the Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea. This performance broke his own previous national record of 20.40 seconds, set at the Federation Cup.

Afsal's 800m Record

Adding to India's track and field glory, Mohammed Afsal also shattered his own national record in the men’s 800m race at the Memorial Czeslawa Cybulskiego in Poznan, Poland. The Asian Games silver medalist clocked an impressive 1:44.96 minutes, finishing sixth in Heat A/1 and becoming the first Indian to run below 1:45 minute mark.

Afsal's achievement comes after his previous record-breaking run of 1:45.61s at the UAE Athletics Grand Prix in Dubai in May, where he broke Jinson Johnson's seven-year-old record of 1:45.65s set in 2018.

The top three positions in the event were swept by Polish runners, with Maciej Wyderka claiming first place with a personal best and meet record time of 1:44.23s. Filip Ostrowski (1:44.25s) and Patryk Sieradzki (1:44.56s) secured second and third places, respectively, also achieving their personal bests.

In Summary:

• Animesh Kujur sets a new national record in the 100m with a time of 10.18 seconds.
• He is the first Indian to run 100m under 10.20 seconds.
• Mohammed Afsal breaks his own 800m national record in Poland with a time of 1:44.96 minutes.