The Indian athletics season is set for an exciting restart as several of the country’s top track and field athletes line up for the Indian Athletics Series 3, scheduled to be held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
The event, to be held on a newly-laid Mondo track, will see elite names across sprints, throws, jumps, and middle distances return to competitive action in what promises to be one of the strongest domestic lineups in recent years.
One of the most anticipated storylines will be the return of Hima Das, who is set to compete for the first time in nearly two years. The 26-year-old last raced at the National Inter-State Championships in June 2024 and has been away from competitive racing since.
Hima is entered in both the women’s 200m and 400m events, where she will face strong competition from Sri Jyothika Dandi, Aishwarya Mishra, and veteran quarter-miler MR Poovamma. Her return will be closely watched as she looks to regain competitive rhythm after an extended break.
The men’s sprint events will feature some of India’s fastest athletes. Animesh Kujur, the national record holder in both the 100m and 200m, will be among the headline acts. However, he faces stiff competition in the 100m from former national record holder Gurindervir Singh, who comes into the event in good form after winning the 60m title at the National Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar last month.
Kujur, who holds a national record of 10.18 seconds, will be aiming to capitalise on the fast track conditions in Delhi, while Gurindervir, with a personal best of 10.20 seconds, will be looking to challenge him over the shorter distance.
The men’s 200m will also be a key event, with Kujur set to go head-to-head against Vishal TK. Although Vishal’s primary event is the 400m, where he holds the national record of 45.12 seconds, his presence in the 200m adds further depth to the competition. Vishal will also contest the men’s 400m, marking his first individual race over the distance since setting the national record at the National Inter-State Championships in Chennai in August 2025.
In the field events, the men’s shot put will see Tajinderpal Singh Toor enter as the leading contender. The experienced thrower has crossed the 20-metre mark twice this season and will be aiming to build further momentum ahead of upcoming international competitions.
The men’s javelin throw event will feature a strong field, even in the absence of Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra, who is currently training abroad. Sachin Yadav, who produced a standout performance to finish fourth at the 2025 World Championships with a best throw of 86.27m, will begin his season in Delhi.
He will be joined by several of India’s top throwers, including Kishore Kumar Jena, Rohit Yadav, Yashvir Singh, Vikrant Malik, and Shivam Lohakare, making this one of the most competitive events on the programme.
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In women’s field events, Asian champion Pooja Singh will compete in the high jump, while the long jump will feature a competitive field led by Shaili Singh and Mubassina Mohammed, both of whom train at the Anju Bobby George Foundation in Bengaluru. Their performances will be keenly observed as they continue to establish themselves on the national and international stage.
With national record holders, returning stars, and rising talents all competing, the Indian Athletics Series 3 promises high-quality competition and could provide early indicators of form ahead of the international athletics calendar. The event will serve not only as a competitive platform but also as a benchmark for athletes looking to secure places in major championships later in the season.
