Bhubaneswar: The inaugural edition of the National Indoor Athletics Championships concluded on a high note at the Kalinga Stadium Indoor Complex, with Punjab sprinter Gurvindervir Singh stealing the spotlight by clinching the men’s 60m title with a record-breaking performance.
The 26-year-old international athlete clocked an impressive 6.60 seconds in a dramatic final that saw only five competitors after three false starts. His timing surpassed the previous national indoor record of 6.67 seconds set in 2022, marking a remarkable start to his 2026 season. Representing Reliance, Gurvindervir showcased composure under pressure to secure the gold medal.
The much-anticipated men’s 60m race witnessed unexpected twists as top contender and national outdoor champion Animesh Kujur was disqualified following a false start. Odisha’s Dondapti Mrutyam Jayaram and Karnataka’s Nehal Sagar also faced disqualification, reducing the field and intensifying the competition.
In the women’s 60m event, Maharashtra’s Harita Bhandra sprinted to victory, clocking 7.32 seconds to claim the gold medal, ahead of strong competition from Karnataka and her home state counterparts.
The final day also featured several notable performances across track and field events. In the men’s 400m, Mohammed Sinan of Reliance secured gold with a time of 48.27 seconds, while Odisha’s Aryan Ekka finished third. The U20 men’s 400m saw Uttar Pradesh’s Umesh Sahani take the top spot, with Odisha’s Bapi Hansda finishing a close second.
Odisha athletes delivered commendable performances across events. Swadhin Kumar Majhi clinched gold in the men’s high jump with a leap of 2.18m, while Dolamani Chirgun topped the U20 men’s 3000m race. Naresh Rohidas added to the state’s tally with a bronze in the men’s triple jump.
In middle-distance events, Vinod Singh of Madhya Pradesh won the men’s 1500m, while Karnataka’s Priyanka C dominated the women’s race. Field events also saw strong performances, with Vimal Mukesh winning the men’s triple jump and Reegan G securing gold in pole vault.
The championships, held over two days, brought together emerging and seasoned athletes from across the country, offering a competitive platform in the indoor format. With record-breaking performances and strong participation, the event marked a significant step forward in India’s athletics calendar, setting the stage for future indoor competitions.
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