Three Indians Go Sub-50 in Same Race as 400m Hurdles Depth Improves at Indian Athletics Series-6

The men’s 400m hurdles at Indian Athletics Series-6 in Chennai produced a rare result, with three Indian athletes clocking sub-50 timings in the same race for the first time. 

Santhosh T, Yashas Palaksha and Jabir Madari finished first, second and third respectively, all going under the 50-second mark. Santhosh T won the race in 49.47 seconds, followed by Yashas Palaksha in 49.64 seconds and Jabir Madari in 49.93 seconds. All three athletes also met the Commonwealth Games qualification standard, making the result significant both in terms of timing and selection implications.

This is only the second time that three Indian athletes have gone sub-50 in the same season. The previous instance came in 2023, and it involved the same trio. The repeat suggests that this group has been able to sustain performance levels over multiple seasons, rather than producing isolated results. From a performance perspective, the race showed clear improvement in depth within the event. Traditionally, Indian 400m hurdles has seen one or two athletes breaking the 50-second barrier in a season. Having three athletes achieve that mark in the same race indicates stronger competition domestically.

Santhosh T’s run stood out for its control across phases. His hurdle rhythm remained consistent, particularly through the middle section where many athletes tend to lose time. The ability to maintain speed between hurdles and manage the final 100 metres effectively helped him stay ahead. Yashas Palaksha also delivered a stable race. His time of 49.64 seconds reflects consistency rather than a one-off peak performance. He has been among the leading hurdlers in the country over the last few seasons, and this result reinforces his position.

Jabir Madari, who finished third, also stayed within the sub-50 bracket with 49.93 seconds. While slightly behind the top two, his performance ensured that all three podium finishers crossed the same benchmark. This consistency across the top three is a key indicator of improvement in the event. Behind them, Ruchit Mori, who had won the Interstate title last season with 49.76 seconds, did not feature in the top three in this race. Subash Das and Murad Sirman recorded season bests of 50.93 seconds and 50.98 seconds respectively. While these times are outside the sub-50 mark, they show a wider group of athletes operating close to that level.

The timing of these performances is relevant with the Federation Cup approaching. With multiple athletes now capable of running under 50 seconds, selection and competition within the event are likely to be more competitive than in previous years. The 400m hurdles is an event that requires a balance between speed, endurance and technique. Improvements in any one of these areas can impact performance significantly. The current results suggest that Indian athletes are making progress across these aspects, particularly in maintaining rhythm and reducing time loss at each hurdle.

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In the women’s 400m, Poovamma Raju won the title with a season-best time of 53.38 seconds. Her performance was steady across the race, allowing her to hold off the rest of the field.

Ansa Babu finished second with a lifetime best of 53.50 seconds. This was the first time she has gone under 54 seconds, marking a step forward in her progression. Vijayakumari took third place with a time of 53.58 seconds, keeping the top three within a narrow range. Another notable point from the women’s event was Subha Venkatesan opening her season. She topped her heat with a time of 54.80 seconds. While not among the fastest times of the day, it marks the beginning of her competitive season, with scope to improve in upcoming meets.

Overall, Indian Series-6 provided a clearer picture of the current domestic standard in both events. In the men’s 400m hurdles, the presence of three sub-50 athletes in a single race reflects growing depth. In the women’s 400m, the spread of timings in the 53-second range indicates a competitive field. As the season progresses, the focus will be on consistency and further improvement. The Federation Cup will serve as the next key competition, where these athletes will look to build on their current performances and secure places for international events.

The results from Chennai suggest that the 400m hurdles, in particular, will be one of the events to follow closely in the coming weeks.