Blazing Tracks in Greece: Indian Sprinters Shine at Dromia 2025 with National Record, Relay Silver
On a breezy evening at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meet in Vari, Greece, Indian sprinters made a strong statement on the European circuit, delivering standout performances that included a National Record, a relay silver, and multiple personal bests. Part of a growing trend of Indian athletes testing themselves on European tracks, the meet marked a significant step forward, especially for emerging names like Animesh Kujur, Moumita Mandal, and the Reliance Foundation men’s 4x100m team.
Animesh Kujur Creates History with 10.18s – New National Record
In the men’s 100m sprint, all eyes were on Animesh Kujur, and he did not disappoint. The 22-year-old sprinter clocked a sensational 10.18 seconds, breaking into Indian sprinting folklore by rewriting the national record books. It wasn’t just the time it was the way he ran.
This performance sees him break the previous national best and pushes him closer to the Asian elite, with the continental season heating up ahead of events like World Championships.
Relay Silver: 4x100m Team Storms to Podium Finish
Adding to India’s medal tally at the Dromia meet was the men’s 4x100m relay team, made up of Lalu Prasad Bhoi, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Gurindervir Singh. The quartet combined seamlessly to clock 39.99 seconds, bagging the silver medal and finishing second overall in the event.
The team’s smooth baton exchanges and consistent splits underlined the progress being made under the Reliance Foundation’s sprint programme. With more continental meets coming up, this result boosts confidence and rhythm for the unit especially ahead of the upcoming events.
Solid Showings Across Sprints
The men’s 100m field saw four Indian athletes in action. Beyond Animesh’s standout bronze, others posted encouraging results:
- Lalu Prasad Bhoi clocked 10.42 seconds (wind-aided) to finish 15th
- MJ Dondapathi Jayaram ran 10.47w for 16th
- Manikanta Hoblidhar, fresh off a recent PB in Europe, timed 10.52s, finishing 19th
While the wind-aided marks don’t go into official records, they suggest growing depth in India’s short sprint pool. The athletes are gaining vital race exposure and sharpening race-phase execution, a key factor when competing against high-quality fields on the European circuit.
In the 200m, Animesh backed up his 100m record with a 20.73s run, placing him 7th overall a commendable double effort. Manikanta, on his part, finished 11th in 21.28s, rounding off a promising weekend.
PB for Moumita Mandal in Women’s 100m Hurdles
Another standout performer was Moumita Mandal, who clocked 13.24 seconds in the 100m hurdles a new personal best and secured 4th place overall. Moumita, a part of India’s next-gen hurdlers, continues to show rapid improvement and has firmly placed herself in contention for future international selections.
Her technical efficiency, particularly between hurdles four and seven, showed clear refinement. With more races lined up in Europe, Moumita’s upward trajectory could be pivotal for India’s relay-hurdles projects leading into the 2026 season.
Building Momentum: Next Stop Belgium
The success in Dromia sets the stage for a bigger Indian presence at the upcoming Moore Guldensporenmeeting (WACT Bronze) in Belgium on 12th July. Sprinters Mohammed Afsal, Manikanta, Moumita, Gurvinder Singh, and Pragyan Sahu are all scheduled to compete.
This is part of a broader initiative to expose Indian athletes to consistent European racing a move that is already paying dividends, judging by the results in Dromia.
What Dromia 2025 Tells Us
- Animesh Kujur is the real deal: Breaking the 100m NR in a high-pressure international meet indicates readiness to compete at the Asian elite level. With a 20.73s in the 200m too, he’s showing exceptional range.
- Relay cohesion is improving: A 39.99s clocking with smooth transitions shows the 4x100m team is finding rhythm. With better baton chemistry, this quartet could soon break the 39.5s barrier.
- Moumita Mandal’s breakthrough is key: The 13.24s PB marks her entry into a new tier of continental hurdling. She’s poised to push sub-13.10 soon with continued competition.
- Depth is developing: Wind-aided or not, consistent 10.4–10.5 range performances from Indian sprinters reflect depth crucial for relays and long-term development.
Conclusion: Signs of a Sprint Renaissance
The Dromia International Sprint Meet 2025 was more than just a European pitstop for Indian athletes it was a statement of intent. With a national record, a relay medal, and a PB in hurdles, India is beginning to find momentum in sprinting disciplines historically dominated by East Asian and Gulf nations.
What’s most encouraging is the professionalism with which these performances are coming. From mental composure after false starts to tactical relay execution, this generation is not just chasing records they’re building systems, habits, and standards.
As the athletes now move to Belgium, all eyes will be on continuity and consistency. Dromia was a breakthrough now it’s time to build on it.
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