The year 2025 will be remembered as a watershed moment in Indian athletics.
Four national records in the men’s 100m, 200m, 400m, and 800m set by Animesh Kujur, Vishal T.K., and Mohd. Afsal P. have signalled a transformation that goes far beyond the stopwatch.
For decades, India has celebrated individual breakthroughs, but this cluster of record-setting performances points to something larger: the professionalization of the sport, a new generation of athletes with global ambitions, and a support system finally beginning to close the gap between talent and performance.
The Numbers That Changed Everything. In 2025, Indian track saw a clean sweep of fresh benchmarks :
- 100m: Animesh Kujur – 10.18s (breaking Gurindervir Singh’s 10.20s)
- 200m: Animesh Kujur – 20.32s (bettering his own 20.40s)
- 400m: Vishal T.K. – 45.12s (surpassing Muhammed Anas Yahiya’s 45.21s)
- 800m: Mohd. Afsal P. – 1:44.93 (bettering his own 1:45.61)
Three records were set at an international competition in Greece, South Korea, Poland underlining the indispensability of global exposure in pushing Indian athletes to new heights.
Animesh Kujur: From Village Footballer to Double Record Holder
At just 22, Animesh Kujur has become the face of India’s sprint revolution. Growing up in Ghuitangar, Chhattisgarh, he was more interested in football than athletics until his raw pace caught the eye during casual runs alongside army personnel during the COVID-19 lockdown. A local competition win, where he bagged five gold medals, set him on the path to sprinting. His turning point came when the Reliance Foundation inducted him into its high-performance program. Initially, Kujur was technically raw, unable to perform a full squat and struggling with mobility.
Under coach Martin Owens and strength specialist Chris Woolley, he underwent a complete transformation. From mobility drills like dynamic hamstring swings to advanced biomechanical analysis with the 1080 sprint machine at the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre, his training has been rooted in science.
The results speak for themselves. His 10.18s in Greece made him the first Indian sprinter to legally dip under 10.20s, while his 20.32s at the Asian Championships in South Korea confirmed his versatility across distances. Competing abroad has been crucial, with Kujur himself admitting that facing world-class rivals “brings him energy” and forces him to raise his game.
Vishal T.K.: The Quarter-Mile Breakthrough
Tamil Nadu’s Vishal T.K., at just 21, has become India’s new one-lap star. Originally a sprinter, he pivoted to the 400m under Jamaican coach Jason Dawson in December 2024. The gamble paid off spectacularly. In Chennai this August, Vishal clocked 45.12s, smashing a six-year-old national record. It wasn’t just a one-off. Vishal has dipped under 46s five times this season, showing rare consistency for an Indian quarter-miler. He has also played a key role in India’s relay success, contributing to a gold in the mixed 4x400m and silver in the men’s 4x400m at the Asian Championships.
Yet, his record also exposes a sobering reality: the World Championships qualifying mark is 44.85s. Vishal is close but not there yet. For Dawson, who has often spoken of systemic resistance to his methods, Vishal’s record validates his philosophy. It also highlights a generational shift: younger athletes are more open to new training ideologies, unburdened by old hierarchies.
Mohd. Afsal P.: Cracking the 1:45 Barrier
Kerala’s Mohd. Afsal P. achieved what many thought was beyond Indian middle-distance runners: dipping under 1:45 in the 800m. After breaking Jinson Johnson’s 2018 record with 1:45.61 in Dubai, Afsal went faster in Poland, clocking 1:44.93. What makes Afsal’s story unique is his hybrid support model. As a Junior Warrant Officer in the Indian Air Force, he enjoys institutional stability, while also receiving world-class backing from the Reliance Foundation. This dual framework blending public and private support has given him both security and elite exposure.
His performances prove the effectiveness of a well-planned international competition calendar, where momentum builds from one global meet to the next. With this, Afsal has moved into the conversation as a genuine world-class contender.
Common Threads in a Breakthrough Year
These records may have been set by individuals, but they are united by larger systemic shifts:
- International Exposure: All records were achieved abroad or built on overseas training. Competing against the world is no longer optional, it is essential.
- Modern Coaching: Whether it is Owens’s holistic sprint philosophy or Dawson’s disruptive 400m methods, foreign expertise combined with athlete buy-in is delivering results.
- Public–Private Partnerships: The Reliance Foundation’s investment, combined with institutional roles like the Air Force, is creating a more resilient ecosystem.
- Global Mindset: This new generation sees itself not just as national champions but as global competitors. The ambition is no longer to break Indian records but to chase world standards.
While 2025 is historic, the next challenge is clear: closing the gap to global podiums. Vishal’s 45.12s, for instance, is still outside World Championship qualification. Similarly, while Kujur’s sprint times are breakthroughs, sub-10 in the 100m or sub-20 in the 200m remain the benchmarks for world-class contention.
What we need to do:
- Structured International Calendar: Indian athletes need consistent exposure abroad, not sporadic trips.
- Empowered Coaching: Proven coaches must be allowed autonomy, free from bureaucratic interference.
- Strengthened Partnerships: Formalize public–private collaborations to sustain funding and infrastructure.
- Raising Domestic Standards: National competitions must align closer to global qualifying benchmarks, ensuring domestic excellence translates to international competitiveness.
The breakthroughs of 2025 represent more than shattered records; they mark the dawn of a new era. India’s athletics is shifting from isolated flashes of brilliance to a system capable of producing sustained excellence. For athletes like Animesh, Vishal, and Afsal, the clock has not just recorded history it has opened the door to the future.
The times may not yet guarantee medals on the Olympic stage, but they announce with authority: Indian athletics is no longer chasing relevance it is preparing for global contention.
