Indian athletics has been riding a wave of transformation since Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
That 87.58m throw not only placed India on the Olympic athletics map but also inspired a generation of athletes to chase global benchmarks. Five years later, in 2025, that inspiration has translated into results across the board. From sprints to middle-distance races, throws to jumps, and even in technical events like pole vault, Indian athletes have raised the bar, rewriting national records with stunning consistency. At the same time, a few legendary marks some dating back nearly five decades continue to stand unchallenged, reminders of how high those early pioneers set the standard.
Here’s a look at the records that fell in 2025 and the oldest ones that still stand tall.
Indian sprinting has taken a quantum leap this year, led by the in-form Animesh Kujur. The 20-year-old sprinter first grabbed headlines in Greece, clocking 10.18 seconds at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meeting to break Gurindervir Singh’s 10.20s national mark in the men’s 100m. But Kujur didn’t stop there. At the Asian Athletics Championships, he stormed to 20.32 seconds in the 200m, lowering his own record of 20.40s set just months earlier at the Federation Cup.
With two sprint records in a single season, Kujur has cemented his place as India’s fastest man and raised expectations heading into the next Olympic cycle.
Middle and Long-Distance Mastery
If there’s one name dominating the middle and long distances, it’s Gulveer Singh. The 25-year-old has been relentless in 2025, rewriting records almost every time he steps on the track. At the Gyulai István Memorial in Hungary, Gulveer clocked 7:34.49 in the 3000m, eclipsing his own mark from earlier in the year. In the 5000m, his 12:59.77 run in Boston not only shattered the Indian record but also set an Asian short-track record. And if that wasn’t enough, he produced a stunning 27:00.22 in the 10,000m at the TEN meet in the USA, showcasing his incredible range and endurance.
His progression signals that Indian distance running is entering an exciting new era, with Gulveer at the forefront.
Vishal TK Breaks the 400m Barrier
The men’s 400m too witnessed a milestone moment in 2025. At the National Inter State Championships in Chennai, Vishal TK blazed to 45.12 seconds, shaving off Muhammed Anas Yahiya’s long-standing record of 45.21 from 2019. His performance reflects the growing depth in the one-lap event, a segment that has seen India rise to global prominence in recent years thanks to strong relay showings on the international stage.
Middle-distance star Mohammed Afsal made headlines twice this year. After setting a personal best at the UAE Grand Prix, he broke his own mark yet again at the Memoriał Czesława Cybulskiego meet in Poland, stopping the clock at 1:44.93 in the 800m. This sub-1:45 performance places Afsal among Asia’s elite and signals India’s intent to challenge for podiums in events once dominated by East African runners.
New Heights in Pole Vault
The year also belonged to Dev Meena in the pole vault. The young athlete cleared 5.40m at the World University Games in Germany, surpassing his previous best of 5.35m from the Federation Cup earlier in the season. Pole vault has traditionally been a niche event in India, but Meena’s consistency in raising the bar is a sign of how far technical events are progressing with better coaching and facilities.
If there was one record-breaking moment that defined 2025, it was Neeraj Chopra’s 90.23m throw at the Doha Diamond League. In doing so, Chopra became the first Indian athlete to breach the coveted 90m barrier, cementing his status among the sport’s global greats. The throw was a statement ahead of the World Championships and underlined how Chopra continues to evolve despite already being an Olympic and World Champion.
Combined Events and Steeplechase
Versatility shone in Tejaswin Shankar’s season as well. Already India’s high jump record holder, Shankar took on the decathlon and emerged with a new national record of 7,826 points at the Wiesław Czapiewski Memorial in Poland. Meanwhile, in the women’s 3000m steeplechase, Parul Chaudhary clocked 9:12.46 at the Asian Athletics Championships, bettering her own previous mark and strengthening her position as one of India’s finest distance runners.
Records That Refuse to Fall
While 2025 has been a historic year for record-breaking performances, a few national records remain untouched some for decades. The most notable is Shivnath Singh’s marathon record, set in 1978 in Jalandhar with a time of 2:12:00. Nearly five decades later, no Indian marathoner has managed to come close, a testament to Singh’s remarkable endurance and training in an era with minimal scientific support.
In the women’s category, PT Usha’s iconic 55.42s in the 400m hurdles, clocked at the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics, continues to inspire generations. Although Vithya Ramraj matched that time in Hangzhou in 2023, the record has yet to be bettered outright. Another enduring mark is J.J. Shobha’s heptathlon record of 6,211 points, set in New Delhi in 2004. Despite improvements in training and facilities, the all-round discipline remains one of the toughest for Indian athletes to crack.
The sheer volume of records shattered in 2025 speaks to the growth of infrastructure, better access to global competition, and athlete support programs that have taken shape over the last decade. Names like Gulveer Singh, Animesh Kujur, Vishal TK, Mohammed Afsal, and Dev Meena reflect a new generation unafraid to push boundaries.
And then there’s Neeraj Chopra, the face of Indian athletics, who continues to deliver historic performances that lift the sport’s profile and inspire millions.
With the Paris 2025 World Championships and the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics on the horizon, the momentum from this record-breaking year is likely to translate into even bigger milestones. As newer names emerge and seasoned athletes continue to excel, Indian athletics stands on the cusp of a golden era. Yet, the old records Shivnath Singh’s marathon mark from 1978 and PT Usha’s legendary hurdles run from 1984 remain a reminder that greatness, once achieved, is never easily surpassed.
2025 has proven that Indian athletics is no longer content with participation alone it’s here to compete, to challenge, and to create history.
