From relay aces to record-holders, India’s top athletes gear up for a high-octane showdown on June 28 at The Indian Open Athletics Meet.
It is set to bring Bengaluru alive on 28th June 2025, as several of India’s elite track and field athletes return to domestic action fresh from their heroics at the Asian Athletics Championships earlier this month. With top sprinters, national record holders, and emerging stars all in the fray, the one-day competition is shaping up to be one of the most high-profile domestic meets of the year.
Sprint Queens Reloaded: 4x100m Silver Medallists Set to Dazzle
All eyes will be on the five-member core of India’s silver medal-winning women’s 4x100m relay squad, who return to competition in individual events after a successful campaign at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok.
- Sneha SS and Dhaneshwari A T are entered in the 100m sprint, hoping to build on their explosive starts and seamless baton exchanges that powered India to the podium.
- Sudheeksha V, Abinaya Rajarajan, and Nithya Gandhe will compete in both the 100m and 200m, providing spectators with back-to-back sprint action featuring some of the fastest women in the country.
This group’s recent international exposure will be put to the test on home turf, and their performances will be closely monitored by selectors with an eye on future relay events.
Quartermiler Royalty: Amoj Jacob & Rajesh Ramesh Lead the Charge
The men’s 400m event is expected to be the marquee race of the day, featuring a star-studded field headlined by Amoj Jacob and Rajesh Ramesh. The two were part of India’s unforgettable 4x400m relay team that made history by qualifying for the final at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
- Amoj, known for his blistering last-leg surges and calm under pressure, returns to the Indian circuit looking to test his form.
- Rajesh, whose consistency over the past two years has made him a vital cog in India’s quartermile ambitions, will be looking to assert his dominance domestically.
Joining them are strong contenders like Manu TS, Rince Joseph, and T Santhosh, making this one of the most competitive 400m line-ups in recent Indian athletics history.
With the Paris Olympics now behind us and the road to Los Angeles 2028 underway, this 400m clash could be a critical early marker in shaping India’s next elite relay team.
Tejaswin Shankar: Hurdles and Heights
Adding further intrigue to the meet is the return of Tejaswin Shankar to the 110m hurdles, an event he last competed in during 2022 while training in the United States. Known primarily as India’s national record holder in both decathlon and high jump, Tejaswin’s participation in the sprint hurdles marks a fresh twist in his already versatile athletic journey.
- This will be his first time competing in the 110m hurdles on Indian soil, and his appearance is expected to draw significant attention.
- He will also take part in the men’s high jump, his signature event, where fans will be eager to see if he can challenge his own benchmark.
Tejaswin’s multi-event expertise and his continuous evolution as an athlete make him one of the most compelling figures in Indian athletics today.
Asian Championship Medalists Add Depth
With the entry list for the Indian Open Athletics Meet now confirmed, several medallists from the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships are also slated to compete, making this not just a showcase of talent but a benchmark event for Indian athletics.
From seasoned campaigners to promising newcomers, the competition will feature top-tier athletes across a wide range of events—sprints, middle distance, jumps, and more. For many, this meet is not only a chance to test their fitness but also an opportunity to stake a claim for selection in future international competitions.
Looking Ahead: A Vital Touchstone for Indian Track and Field
The Indian Open Athletics Meet serves a dual purpose it’s both a platform for proven performers and a proving ground for aspiring stars. Coming just weeks after the Asian Athletics Championships, this domestic event offers a critical space for athletes to fine-tune their form, measure themselves against the best in the country, and make an early impression on selectors for the 2026 calendar.
Importantly, it also marks a continued rise in the stature of India’s domestic athletics circuit, which has increasingly begun to mirror the intensity and professionalism of global competitions. With television coverage and federation support expanding, the visibility and stakes for national-level meets have never been higher.
As Bengaluru prepares to host the Indian Open Athletics Meet on 28th June, excitement is building around a lineup stacked with international medalists, record holders, and emerging stars. Whether it’s the blistering speed of India’s women sprinters, the strategic brilliance of the 400m stars, or the multi-dimensional prowess of Tejaswin Shankar, this meet promises to be a true celebration of Indian athletics.
Fans, coaches, and scouts alike will be watching closely not just for podium finishes, but for the sparks of potential that could define the next generation of Indian track and field.
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