When the 4th South Asian Athletics Championships begin on October 24 at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, the focus will be firmly on the 100m, 200m, and 400m showdowns.
Despite being a Category D event on the World Athletics calendar, the meet promises to serve as an exciting late-season contest between India and Sri Lanka two nations whose sprinters have dominated South Asian athletics for decades. This year’s field may lack a few established names, but it brings together a mix of national champions, upcoming youth talents, and regional rivals, all looking to end their season with a statement performance.
India’s sprint unit features a strong blend of youth and experience across all three distances. In men’s 100m, Pranav and Raut lead the charge with season’s bests (SBs) of 10.27s and 10.38s, respectively. Pranav, whose sub-10.3 clocking equals Sri Lanka’s Yodasinghe as the fastest in South Asia this year, will be one of the prime contenders for gold in Ranchi. His quick starts and controlled transition have been his biggest assets through the domestic season.
Raut, meanwhile, has been the picture of consistency. The Maharashtra sprinter, known for his fluid acceleration phase, has clocked under 10.45s multiple times this season and will be eager to convert that rhythm into a podium finish. In the 200m, India’s Sandeep Singh stands tall as the national champion with a season-best of 20.95s, making him one of only two South Asian sprinters to break the 21-second barrier in 2025. Sandeep’s ability to maintain top-end speed on the curve has made him a reliable performer on both national and international tracks. He will be joined by Pratik, who brings a best of 21.24s, giving India two capable finalists for the sprint double.
The 400m will see Rashid (46.23s) and Ashfaq (46.87s) anchor India’s quarter-mile campaign. Rashid’s steady progression this year, particularly his ability to distribute pace evenly across splits, gives him a tactical advantage in the humid conditions expected in Ranchi. Ashfaq, though slightly behind in timing, has shown promise in domestic relays and is known for his strong finish in the last 100m.
Sri Lanka’s Strong Challenge: Raw Pace and Rising Stars
If there’s one nation that can push India in every sprint event, it’s Sri Lanka. The island nation has long been a sprint powerhouse in the South Asian circuit, producing talents like Sugath Tillakaratne, Yupun Abeykoon, and now, a new generation of challengers led by Yodasinghe, Kalinga, and Vidushan. In the 100m, Yodasinghe matches India’s Pranav with an identical 10.27s, setting the stage for a mouth-watering duel. Alongside him, Diyalawaththa (10.55s) provides depth, though the Indian duo’s consistency may give them an edge.
The sprint will likely come down to who handles the start better on what is expected to be a humid evening in Ranchi a condition that has historically slowed reaction times.
Sri Lanka’s Vidushan, with 21.10s in the 200m, is another serious threat. His strength lies in his sustained acceleration, particularly in the final 50m. Against Sandeep Singh’s 20.95s, this contest could go either way, depending on curve execution and headwind conditions. The 400m is where Sri Lanka holds a marginal upper hand. National record-holder Kalinga has clocked 45.55s, the best in South Asia this year, while Idupa (46.26s) provides solid backup. Their consistent sub-46 form suggests that India’s Rashid and Ashfaq will need near-perfect races to challenge for gold.
If conditions are favorable, the 400m final might witness one of the fastest laps ever recorded at a South Asian meet.
Tale of the Stopwatch: A Comparative Snapshot
| Event | India (Top SB) | Sri Lanka (Top SB) | Edge |
| 100m | Pranav – 10.27 | Yodasinghe – 10.27 | Even |
| 200m | Sandeep – 20.95 | Vidushan – 21.10 | India |
| 400m | Rashid – 46.23 | Kalinga – 45.55 | Sri Lanka |
While India leads marginally in the 200m, Sri Lanka’s strength in the 400m is undeniable. The 100m, however, looks destined to be a dead heat, setting up one of the most anticipated sprints of the Championships.
A New Stage for Emerging South Asian Athletics
The Senior South Asian Athletics Championships, returning after a 17-year hiatus, will feature six nations — India 🇮🇳, Sri Lanka 🇱🇰, Bangladesh 🇧🇩, Nepal 🇳🇵, Bhutan 🇧🇹, and Maldives 🇲🇻. Though classified as a Category D event, it holds great developmental importance for regional athletes seeking valuable ranking points and exposure ahead of the 2026 Asian Indoor Championships.
The Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, better known for football, has been converted into a fully equipped athletics venue with newly laid synthetic tracks and upgraded lighting. Organisers expect over 300 athletes to compete across 37 medal events, with India fielding more than 80 athletes its largest-ever contingent at this meet.
Among women, stars like Sakshi Chavan (200m) and Amandeep Kaur (800m) will lead India’s charge, but much of the spotlight will remain on the men’s sprint battles, where India and Sri Lanka are likely to trade victories.
India and Sri Lanka share one of Asia’s oldest and most respectful athletics rivalries. Every time they line up on the track, the competition pushes both teams toward higher standards. With Pranav and Yodasinghe eyeing sprint supremacy, Sandeep and Vidushan targeting the bend, and Kalinga and Rashid ready to go stride for stride in the one-lap dash, Ranchi’s crowd can expect three finals that will define the spirit of South Asian athletics competitive, close, and proud.
Whether India maintains its traditional dominance or Sri Lanka breaks through in the men’s sprints, one thing is certain the stopwatch in Ranchi won’t rest easy.
