Indian athletics is set to kick off the 2024 season with a bang as the Indian Grand Prix-1 (IGP-1) takes center stage on March 28 at the SAI, NSSC, Bangalore.
The first major competition of the year will see top Indian athletes vying for early-season momentum and national qualification marks.
With World Athletics qualification in sight and rankings points at stake, the event promises high-intensity action, especially in the sprint and hurdles events. Let’s take a closer look at the key names in contention across various disciplines.
Men’s 100m: Star-Studded Sprint Showdown
The blue-riband event of track and field, the men’s 100m, will feature an exciting battle among India’s fastest men.
• Amlan Borgohain (PB: 10.25s) – The national record holder in the 200m will look to improve his short sprint time.
• Manikanta Hoblidhar (PB: 10.23s – NR) – The reigning national record holder in the 100m will aim to set the track on fire.
• Lalu Prasad Bhoi (PB: 10.34s) – A rising star looking to make a mark.
• Gurindervir Singh (PB: 10.27s) – An experienced sprinter with solid credentials.
Expect a closely contested race, with the potential for a sub-10.20s performance if conditions are ideal.
Men’s 200m: Muhammed Anas Returns!
The men’s 200m will be one of the most anticipated events, featuring Muhammed Anas Yahiya, the national record holder in the 400m.
• Muhammed Anas (PB: 20.63s) – The 400m specialist is dropping down in distance as he starts his 2024 campaign.
• Amlan Borgohain (PB: 20.52s – NR) – The reigning national record holder will be the man to beat.
• Lalu Prasad Bhoi
With Anas focusing solely on individual 400m events this year due to his exit from the national camp, this will be an important race to gauge his speed endurance.
Men’s 110m Hurdles: Tejas Shirse Eyes New Heights
• Tejas Ashok Shirse (PB: 13.41s – NR) – The national record holder will be looking to lower his best and push towards the 13.30s mark, which would put him in the elite category internationally.
Men’s Pole Vault: Siva S vs. M. Gowtham
• Siva S (PB: 5.31m – NR) – The national record holder (pending ratification of Dev Meena’s 5.32m) will be a strong favorite.
• M. Gowtham (PB: 5.10m) – Looking to challenge the benchmark in Indian pole vaulting.
The men’s pole vault could see a national record attempt, given Siva’s consistency in clearing heights above 5.20m.
Women’s 100m: Sneha S.S Leads the Charge
• Sneha S.S (PB: 11.42s) – The fastest woman in the field.
• Abinaya Rajarajan (PB: 11.62s) – Strong contender for a podium finish.
• V. Sudheeksha (PB: 11.75s) – Looking to dip under 11.60s.
With the national record standing at 11.17s (Dutee Chand), the field will aim to get closer to the 11.40s mark.
Women’s 800m: Laxita vs. Vineeta
• Laxita Vinod Sandile (PB: 2:07.10) – The favorite in this event.
• Vineeta Gurjar (PB: 2:10.50) – Aiming for a sub-2:10 performance.
Women’s 100m Hurdles: Jyothi Yarraji Headlines
• Jyothi Yarraji (PB: 12.78s – NR) – India’s best hurdler will look to dominate the field.
• Nithya Ramraj (PB: 13.04s) – A strong competitor aiming to break the 13-second barrier.
• Moumita Mondal (PB: 13.36s) – Looking to improve her PB.
With Tokyo 2025 qualification on the radar, Yarraji will be expected to produce a world-class performance.
Muhammed Anas: The Road Ahead
• Anas, India’s 400m national record holder, will be competing in the 200m at IGP-1.
• His last major appearance was at the Paris Olympics, where he ran the first leg in the 4x400m relay.
• He is ineligible for relay participation this year due to leaving the national camp, meaning he will focus only on individual 400m races this season.
Other Key Names to Watch
• Krishan Kumar (800m) – A strong middle-distance runner aiming for early-season form.
• Praveen Chithravel (Long Jump) – India’s best triple jumper appears in the long jump entry list.
Final Thoughts: High-Stakes Start to 2024
With a mix of established stars and emerging talents, IGP-1 promises to be a high-intensity season opener. Sprint races, in particular, will grab attention, with record-holders and top contenders pushing each other.
With Paris 2024 in sight, performances at IGP-1 will play a crucial role in shaping India’s athletics roadmap for the year.
Who are you most excited to watch at IGP-1? Let the season begin!
