Trailblazer in Monaco: Animesh Kujur becomes first Indian sprinter to compete at Diamond League, finishes fourth in U23 200m
India’s sprinting landscape marked a historic moment on Friday evening as Animesh Kujur became the first Indian sprinter to step onto the track at a Diamond League event. Competing in the U23 200m race at the prestigious Meeting Herculis EBS (Monaco Diamond League), the 22-year-old clocked a commendable 20.55 seconds to finish fourth in a field that featured some of the world’s most prodigious young talents.
What makes this performance stand out isn’t just the result, but the context: Animesh ran into a stiff headwind measured at -1.9 m/s, which undoubtedly affected times across the board. Even so, the Reliance Foundation-backed athlete delivered a performance that further cements his reputation as the new face of Indian sprinting.
Breaking barriers: India’s fastest man
Animesh’s rise has been nothing short of meteoric in 2025. Hailing from Ghuitangar village in Chhattisgarh, he trains at the Odisha Reliance Foundation Athletics High Performance Centre in Bhubaneswar under the guidance of Head Coach Martin Owens. In just the past few months, Animesh has rewritten the Indian sprint record books:
- 100m NR: 10.18s, set last week at the Dromia International Sprints Meet in Greece, becoming the first Indian to break the 10.20 barrier.
- 200m NR: 20.32s, alongside a wind-assisted 20.27s.
- 4x100m relay NR: 38.69s.
Each of these milestones signals not only Animesh’s exceptional form but also a broader shift in Indian athletics where world-class sprinting performances are now emerging from home-grown talent nurtured by structured high-performance programmes.
Monaco Diamond League: A special stage
The Monaco Diamond League is renowned for its fast track and iconic setting at the Stade Louis II. This year’s meet included nine Olympic champions from Paris 2024, with sprint stars like Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo, as well as field legend Armand Duplantis. Against such an electric backdrop, Animesh shared the U23 200m start line with the likes of Gout Gout, the 17-year-old Australian phenom who won in a blistering 20.10s, and Jack Naeem, another 17-year-old with a PB of 20.13s who finished third.
Finishing fourth behind this generational talent shows that Animesh is not only consistent but also capable of competing alongside the world’s best youth sprinters. Observers noted that without the headwind, Animesh could well have approached his personal best, underscoring how competitive he truly was on debut.
European exposure and momentum
Animesh is currently in the middle of a six-week European training and competition tour, which includes high-level meets designed to challenge and refine his race execution. His base is the Swiss Olympic Centre in Magglingen, where he trains with coach Martin Owens and physiotherapist Jayesh Bane.
In addition to the Diamond League, Animesh has raced in Geneva and Athens this season, each meet sharpening his start, bend running and transition phases in the 200m. Next up on 15 July, he will race at the Spitzen Leichtathletik in Lucerne, Switzerland another meet that often attracts elite sprinters.
Later this month, Animesh will represent India at the World University Games in Germany, competing in both the 200m and the 4x100m relay. Given his form, Indian athletics fans can hope for yet another national mark or at least strong finals appearances.
Consistency at the highest level
One of the most encouraging aspects of Animesh’s season is his consistency. He has regularly clocked sub-20.60s in the 200m and has brought his 100m times below 10.20s. This consistency isn’t just about raw talent; it reflects meticulous training, sports science support and racing strategy honed over months.
It’s also worth noting that Animesh is racing during a period where global sprinting is experiencing a surge of young stars. Teenagers like Gout Gout and Jack Naeem are not just promising they’re already delivering world-class times. That Animesh, at 22, is right there in the mix, shows India’s rising capability to produce genuinely competitive athletes on the global stage.
Looking ahead
As Animesh lines up for Lucerne and the World University Games, expectations will naturally grow. Yet, whether or not new records fall, his very presence at meets like the Diamond League is a watershed moment for Indian athletics.
It tells young athletes back home that the biggest stages in track and field once seen as distant are now within reach. It shows the impact of systematic training and athlete-centred support through programmes like the Reliance Foundation’s HPC. And perhaps most importantly, it proves that Indian sprinters can not only participate but also challenge some of the best in the world.
On Friday night in Monaco, Animesh Kujur’s 20.55 seconds was about more than just a time on the clock. It was about breaking barriers, inspiring a new generation and showing that Indian speed belongs on the global track.
Congratulations, Animesh. Onwards and upwards. 🇮🇳⚡️
