In Indian athletics, every few years a name emerges from the junior circuit that promises a new chapter of excellence. In 2025, that name is Abhinaya Rajarajan.
At just 18 years of age, Abhinaya announced her arrival on the senior international stage in the most dramatic fashion possible. Running the third leg for India’s women’s 4x100m relay team at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, South Korea, the Tamil Nadu teenager delivered a sensational burst of pace—holding her own against none other than Singapore’s sprint queen Shanti Pereira, the 2025 Asian silver medalist and 200m national record holder.
It wasn’t just a good run—it was a defining moment.
India’s quartet of Srabani Nanda, SS Sneha, Abhinaya Rajarajan, and Nithya Gandhe stopped the clock at 43.86 seconds, clinching the silver medal behind China (43.28s), and ahead of Thailand (44.26s). The relay team’s performance not only brought a sparkling close to India’s campaign in Gumi but also marked Abhinaya as one of the most exciting young prospects in Indian sprinting.
The Third Leg That Stole the Show
While the experienced Srabani Nanda gave India a steady start and Sneha exploded down the back straight, all eyes were on the baton exchange heading into the curve. That’s when Abhinaya’s raw speed and composure under pressure came alive.
“It was a surreal feeling going stride-for-stride with someone like Shanti Pereira,” Abhinaya told reporters post-race. “But once I got the baton, all I focused on was staying relaxed and giving Nithya the cleanest hand-off possible.”
And that she did. In perfect rhythm, she handed over to anchor Nithya Gandhe, who powered down the final stretch to secure silver. But in that third leg, Abhinaya had already etched her name in the minds of Indian athletics fans.
From Dodging Math Class to National Records
Abhinaya’s journey is as unique as her talent. “I started running just to skip my math class,” she once joked—a statement that belies the discipline and commitment she’s shown since.
In December 2024, at the National Junior Athletics Championships, Abhinaya clocked 11.66 seconds in the U-18 100m final to take gold. But the real fireworks came in the heats, where she equalled Dutee Chand’s long-standing U18 national record of 11.62s, becoming the joint holder of a mark that had stood for nearly a decade.
That performance stood out for another reason: her final time of 11.66s was faster than the U20 gold medalist’s 11.86s—a feat rarely achieved by an athlete running in a younger age group.
A Track Record of Delivering on the Big Stage
Abhinaya’s progression over the past 18 months has been consistent and impressive:
- Asian U18 Championships (April 2023): Silver in 100m
- Asian U20 Championships (June 2023):
- Personal Best of 11.91s in heats
- Bronze in 4x100m relay (anchored the team)
- Open Nationals (November 2023): Multiple sub-11.80 runs
- National Games 2024: Finalist (8th place) with 11.95s
- National U18 Champion (December 2024): Gold + NR equal
- Asian Athletics Championships 2025: Silver in 4x100m relay (senior debut)
Each performance has built on the last, and while many juniors plateau upon entering senior competition, Abhinaya’s trajectory continues to rise.
Eyes on the Horizon: A Sprint Star in the Making
At just 18, Abhinaya Rajarajan has already achieved what many can only dream of: a national record, multiple international medals at age-group and senior levels, and a reputation as India’s fastest rising sprinter.
Technically sound, strong off the blocks, and with the rare ability to hold top speed under pressure, she is already drawing comparisons to India’s sprint legends. But those who know her best point to something even more important—her temperament.
“Abhinaya is fearless,” said one of her coaches. “She’s not overawed by reputations or crowds. She’s just getting started.”
With India looking to rebuild its women’s sprint program on the international stage, especially in relays, talents like Abhinaya are critical. Her synergy with experienced runners like Srabani and emerging stars like Sneha and Nithya is already paying off.
With the 2026 Asian Games and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics now on the horizon, Abhinaya Rajarajan finds herself in a pivotal stage of her development. The focus will now be on maintaining consistent sub-11.70 performances, transitioning to elite senior 100m finals, and becoming a mainstay in India’s 4x100m squad.
She has already shown she can compete with Asia’s best—and beat them.
But for now, the girl who once ran just to escape math class is sprinting straight into India’s athletic future.
Remember the name: Abhinaya Rajarajan.
