The 4th South Asian Athletics Championships 2025 opened in Ranchi with a day of domination for Team India, as the hosts captured five golds, six silvers, and three bronzes across nine finals.
It was a day that combined emerging stars and seasoned performers from Sanjana Singh’s record-breaking 5000m gold to Samardeep Singh’s monster throw in shot put and a stunning 4x400m mixed relay gold that capped off a thrilling evening.
The biggest roar of the day came in the final event the mixed 4x400m relay where India’s youthful lineup shocked an experienced Sri Lankan squad to clinch gold in 3:20.13s. The team Rashid, Neeru Pathak, Mohammed Ashfaq, and Olimba Steffi featured two U20 athletes, both of whom played decisive roles. Rashid gave India a balanced start, but Sri Lanka’s Kalinga Kumarage (Asian bronze medallist, 45.07s PB) pulled ahead.
Neeru Pathak then delivered a brilliant second leg, closing the gap against Asian champion Nadeesha Ramanayake, while Ashfaq held India steady before Olimba Steffi unleashed a strong final 100m to edge out the Lankans. India took gold with 3:20.13s, Sri Lanka finished close behind in 3:20.85s, and Nepal claimed bronze (3:37.16). The result showcased the next generation of Indian 400m runners poised, fearless, and ready for the big stage.
Sanjana Singh’s Sensational 5000m Gold and Record
In the women’s 5000m final, 18-year-old Sanjana Singh stole the spotlight with a stunning 15:38.70s, smashing the meet record and setting a new U20 national mark. Her teammate Seema clocked 15:40.55s, ensuring a 1–2 finish for India. Both bettered the long-standing meet record of 16:08.09 (P. Sreedharan, 2008).
Sanjana’s performance ranks her 25th among U20 athletes globally in 2025, underlining her meteoric rise. Nepal’s Santoshi S took bronze with a personal best of 16:36.61s.
India’s Prince Kumar made it a golden double in the 5000m, winning the men’s title in 14:22.17s after a thrilling battle with Sri Lanka’s Vicknaraj Vakshan (14:23.21s). Nepal’s Mukesh Bahadur finished third (14:25.54s). Prince’s perfectly judged kick in the final 200m sealed victory another testament to India’s growing depth in distance running.
Samardeep Shatters Shot Put Record with 19.59m Throw
The morning session witnessed pure power from Samardeep Singh, who smashed the meet record in men’s shot put. His first throw of 19.02m broke the 2008 mark (17.71m by S. Kumar), before he bettered it again with a 19.59m second attempt. His teammate Ravi Kumar also surpassed the old record (17.95m), claiming silver, while S. Mithunraj (SRI) took bronze with 14.78m.
Samardeep’s dominance built on precision and rhythm reaffirmed his place among Asia’s best emerging throwers.
India swept the women’s shot put podium’s top two spots as Yogita won gold with 15.85m, narrowly ahead of Shiksha (15.83m). Sri Lanka’s C. Ovini claimed bronze (13.03m). Though no record was broken, the narrow margin reflected India’s unmatched depth in the event.
Thrilling Sprint Finish in 100m
The men’s 100m final lived up to the hype, producing a finish for the ages. Sri Lanka’s Yodasinghege Chamod won gold in 10.30s, edging out India’s Pranav Gurav (10.32s) and Harsh Raut (10.42s). Both Chamod and Pranav broke the 27-year-old meet record of 10.35s (G. De Soyza, 1998). The Indian sprinters showed tremendous form and promise heading into the domestic circuit finale next month. In the women’s 100m, Sri Lanka completed a 1–2 sweep as M. Yamick (11.53s) and A.D. Silva (11.72s) both went under the previous meet record. India’s Sudensha S ran a composed race to win bronze in 11.78s, also inside the old record mark signaling a continental-level improvement in sprinting standards.
Dinesh and Sebastian Secure Double Podium in Men’s Triple Jump
Sri Lanka’s K. Pasindu took gold in the men’s triple jump with 16.19m, but India secured the remaining podiums through Dinesh V (16.14m) and Sebastian V.S. (15.98m). It was one of the closest field events of the day, with just 21 cm separating gold from bronze a fine display of South Asia’s improving technical standards.
Poorva Sawant Wins Silver in Women’s Triple Jump
In the women’s triple jump, Sri Lanka’s N.M. Herath leapt 13.36m for gold — a new meet record. India’s Poorva Sawant won silver with 13.03m, while Sri Lanka’s Ekanayaka M (12.79m) took bronze.
Poorva’s consistent series of jumps beyond 12.90m confirmed her steady technical progress.
Day 1 Medal Summary – 4th South Asian Athletics Championships (Ranchi)
| Event | Gold | Silver | Bronze |
| Men’s 100m | Y. Chamod 🇱🇰 – 10.30 (MR) | Pranav Gurav 🇮🇳 – 10.32 (MR) | Harsh Raut 🇮🇳 – 10.42 |
| Women’s 100m | M. Yamick 🇱🇰 – 11.53 (MR) | A.D. Silva 🇱🇰 – 11.72 (MR) | Sudensha S 🇮🇳 – 11.78 (MR) |
| Men’s 5000m | Prince Kumar 🇮🇳 – 14:22.17 | V. Vakshan 🇱🇰 – 14:23.21 | Mukesh Bahadur 🇳🇵 – 14:25.54 |
| Women’s 5000m | Sanjana Singh 🇮🇳 – 15:38.70 (MR, PB, NU20R) | Seema 🇮🇳 – 15:40.55 (MR) | Santoshi S 🇳🇵 – 16:36.61 (PB) |
| Men’s Shot Put | Samardeep Singh 🇮🇳 – 19.59m (MR) | Ravi Kumar 🇮🇳 – 17.95m (MR) | S. Mithunraj 🇱🇰 – 14.78m |
| Women’s Shot Put | Yogita 🇮🇳 – 15.85m | Shiksha 🇮🇳 – 15.83m | C. Ovini 🇱🇰 – 13.03m |
| Men’s Triple Jump | K. Pasindu 🇱🇰 – 16.19m | Dinesh V 🇮🇳 – 16.14m | Sebastian V.S. 🇮🇳 – 15.98m |
| Women’s Triple Jump | N.M. Herath 🇱🇰 – 13.36m (MR) | Poorva Sawant 🇮🇳 – 13.03m | Ekanayaka M 🇱🇰 – 12.79m |
| 4x400m Mixed Relay | Team India 🇮🇳 – 3:20.13 | Team Sri Lanka 🇱🇰 – 3:20.85 | Team Nepal 🇳🇵 – 3:37.16 |
Record-Breaking Opening Day for India
With 14 medals including five golds and six silvers, India finished Day 1 on top of the standings. Five meet records fell in the process a testament to the championship’s growing standard and India’s commanding preparation. From Samardeep’s explosive power and Sanjana’s U20 brilliance to the youth-fuelled relay gold, Ranchi’s opening day was an exhibition of Indian athletics at its vibrant best.
As the championships continue, the message from Day 1 is unmistakable, India is setting the pace for South Asia, one record at a time.
