Odisha’s young sprint sensation Pratik Maharana produced a career-defining performance at the National Junior Athletics Championships 2025, scorching the track with a 21.24s run in the men’s U-20 200m final to clinch gold, set a new personal best, and breach the World U20 Championships qualification mark.
It was a moment of glory for the 18-year-old, who not only dominated the field but also broke the meet record of 21.26s set by Veeresh Mathur in 2023. Competing in front of his home crowd in Bhubaneswar, Pratik delivered one of the standout performances of the championship a perfect combination of speed, precision, and composure. Having topped the semifinal timings, Pratik entered the 200m final as one of the favourites. From the gun, he exploded out of the blocks, maintaining a fluid rhythm through the curve before unleashing a powerful final 50 metres.
His time of 21.24 seconds not only secured the gold but also marked a new personal best, shaving 0.04 seconds off his previous record and reinforcing his reputation as one of India’s most promising junior sprinters. The victory was special for Pratik not just because of the gold, but because it came on home turf, under the same skies where he began his athletics journey. “Running in Bhubaneswar always brings out the best in me,” he said after the race. “The crowd energy, my family watching, and the memories from last year everything pushed me forward today.”
Back-to-Back Titles, Rising Consistency
This triumph adds to Pratik’s growing list of achievements. At the 2024 National Junior Athletics Championships, he had already made headlines by winning the U-18 200m gold with a then-meet record of 21.28s, breaking the previous best of 21.34s set by Shanmuga Srinivas. Just a year later, he has gone a step further upgrading to the U-20 category and improving both his time and the championship record.
Such consistency is rare at the junior level, where the transition between age groups often challenges young athletes. But Pratik has adapted seamlessly, demonstrating not just physical growth but also technical maturity in his stride mechanics, acceleration phase, and curve running.
A large part of Pratik’s progress can be attributed to the mentorship he receives from one of India’s most celebrated sprinters Dutee Chand, the national record holder in women’s 100m. Training under Dutee in Bhubaneswar has refined his technique and mindset. “Pratik’s discipline is what separates him,” Dutee shared in a recent interaction. “He listens, studies every phase of his sprint, and doesn’t shy away from hard sessions. Today’s run is the reward of his patience and belief.”
Under Dutee’s guidance, Pratik has worked extensively on improving his drive phase and top-end control, key factors in achieving sub-21.3 times a benchmark for international-level junior sprinters.
Strong 100m Form Sets the Tone
Pratik’s success in the 200m didn’t come out of nowhere. Earlier in the week, he displayed excellent form in the men’s U-20 100m heats, clocking 10.85s, a personal best at the time. He followed that with a strong 10.69s run in the semifinals, finishing second only to Madhya Pradesh’s Abhay Singh (10.62s). Although he narrowly missed a medal in the 100m final, those performances gave him the rhythm and confidence to attack the longer sprint with renewed focus. The blend of short-distance explosiveness and curve control came together perfectly in his 200m masterpiece.
For Odisha, Pratik’s achievement carries symbolic weight. The state, known for producing elite sprinters like Dutee Chand and Amiya Mallick, has long been a nurturing ground for speed talent. Pratik’s gold on home soil continues that legacy and adds another name to Odisha’s sprinting pedigree. His 21.24s timing also comfortably meets the qualification standard for the World U20 Championships, making him one of India’s few male sprinters to achieve the mark this year. The event, to be held next year, will feature the world’s top young athletes and Pratik will now have the chance to test himself against the best on a global stage.
For now, the focus will shift to recovery and preparation. The national camp for World U20 hopefuls is set to begin later this year, and Pratik’s inclusion now seems all but certain. His immediate goal will be consistency maintaining sub-21.3 timings across competitions and fine-tuning his start and finishing phases for international conditions.
Pratik’s rise is not just a personal story of ambition, but also a reflection of the growing strength of India’s junior sprint ecosystem. With better infrastructure, coaching support, and international exposure, athletes like him are proving that India’s next generation of sprinters can compete at the world level.
Key Highlights: Pratik Maharana (National Junior Athletics Championships 2025)
Gold Medal – Men’s U-20 200m Final
- Timing: 21.24s (Personal Best)
- Meet Record: Broke previous mark of 21.26s (Veeresh Mathur, 2023)
- World U20 Qualification Standard Breached
From a teenage record-breaker to a world qualifier, Pratik Maharana’s 2025 campaign is a story of persistence, performance, and promise proof that India’s next generation of sprinters is fast catching up to global standards.
#IndianAthletics #NationalJuniors2025 #PratikMaharana #OdishaAthletics #WorldU20Qualifier #SprintingFuture #TrackAndField
