Tamilarasu Blazes to 10.22s, Becomes India’s Equal Third-Fastest in 100m

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The 64th Indian Interstate Athletics Championships in Chennai witnessed one of the most electrifying sprint finals in recent memory as S. Tamilarasu scorched down the track to win the men’s 100m gold medal in 10.22 seconds his personal best and a performance that places him among the fastest sprinters in Indian history.

The 23-year-old Tamil Nadu sprinter has long been viewed as a promising talent, but Saturday’s run marked a dramatic elevation in his profile. Entering the race in fine form, he had already announced his intent by clocking 10.33s in the semifinals, another personal best at the time. In the final, Tamilarasu’s start was sharp, his acceleration crisp, and his top-end speed sustained with remarkable composure. Crossing the line well ahead of his rivals, he not only clinched the gold medal but also etched his name into the record books.

His 10.22s time makes him the joint fourth-fastest Indian 100m sprinter of all time, alongside national-level stalwarts Manikanta, behind only Anil Kumar (10.21s) , Gurindervir Singh (10.20s) and the national record holder Animesh Kujur (10.18s) . For perspective, no Indian sprinter has dipped below 10.15s, a barrier that now feels within reach for Tamilarasu.

The Rise of a Local Hero

What made the moment even more special was its setting. Running in front of a home crowd at Chennai’s Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Tamilarasu drew energy from the stands as Tamil Nadu supporters roared him to victory. With Dhanalakshmi winning the women’s 100m title earlier in the meet, it was a clean sweep for Tamil Nadu sprinters, underlining the state’s growing reputation as a sprinting powerhouse. The sight of a local sprinter claiming gold with one of the fastest times in Indian history brought the stadium to its feet. For Tamilarasu, it was validation of years of training and persistence.

India has historically struggled to produce world-class sprinters capable of competing with global benchmarks. While names like Milkha Singh and P.T. Usha brought glamour to the track, the 100m has remained elusive as a medal-winning event at the international level. Tamilarasu’s 10.22s performance may not yet threaten world standards where sub-10s times are the norm but it represents a significant step forward for Indian sprinting. Crucially, it was achieved under legal wind conditions, ensuring it stands as a recognized mark in the national records.

Tamilarasu
Credit RevSportz

His run was not a one-off flash either. With a semifinal of 10.33s and steady progression through the season, Tamilarasu has demonstrated both form and consistency, qualities essential to sustaining success.

Eyes on the National Record

In post-race conversations, Tamilarasu made no secret of his ambition: he wants the Indian national record. At present, Animesh Kujur 10.18 remains the national mark but his focus seems to be on the 200m. Tamilarasu is now just seconds shy of that record, a margin that could be erased with a perfect start, smoother transitions, or peak conditions. At only 23, he has the time and trajectory on his side. With better access to international competition, advanced training facilities, and exposure to higher-level meets, he could soon become the first Indian sprinter to run under 10.20s.

The final itself was a showcase of raw speed and intensity. From the gun, Tamilarasu exploded out of the blocks, establishing an early lead by 30 metres. His stride length and frequency combined seamlessly, and unlike many young sprinters who tend to fade in the last 20m, he held form impressively through the finish line. Behind him, Manikanta delivered a commendable performance to finish second, ensuring that the final was competitive and underscoring the depth in India’s sprinting pool. Still, the night belonged to Tamilarasu his timing, his execution, and his celebration afterward all reflecting the arrival of a sprinter ready for bigger stages.

Tamil Nadu’s Sprinting Tradition

Tamil Nadu has quietly built a strong sprinting culture, producing several national-level athletes in recent years. Facilities in Chennai and other cities, coupled with a strong athletics ecosystem at the grassroots, have given rise to talents like Abinaya Rajarajan and now Tamilarasu. With both men’s and women’s 100m titles secured by local sprinters, Tamil Nadu reaffirmed its dominance at the 64th Interstate Championships. For the host state, it was a proud moment that showcased their investments in athletics are beginning to bear fruit.

Tamilarasu
Credit Hindu Tamil

Tamilarasu’s breakthrough comes at an important time for Indian athletics. With Neeraj Chopra putting India on the global athletics map through his Olympic and World Championships success in javelin, the spotlight is turning toward other disciplines to follow. Sprinting, often the glamour event of track and field, now has a new torchbearer in Tamilarasu. His rise also boosts India’s hopes in relay events. The men’s 4x100m relay has often struggled to crack into Asian medal territory, but with sprinters consistently running in the 10.2–10.3 range, India can begin to build more competitive quartets.

The 64th Indian Interstate Athletics Championships will be remembered for several strong performances, but none more dazzling than S. Tamilarasu’s 100m gold medal run. By clocking 10.22s, a personal best and one of the fastest times in Indian history, he has announced himself as the new face of Indian sprinting. At just 23, with the national record within touching distance, Tamilarasu’s journey is only beginning. His performance in Chennai was more than a race it was a statement: that Indian sprinting has a new contender, one with the talent, ambition, and momentum to chase history.

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