Animesh Kujur Set to Race in Monaco Diamond League’s U23 200m: A Milestone Moment for Indian Sprinting
India’s sprinting sensation Animesh Kujur is all set to take the international spotlight once again as he features in the U23 200m race at the prestigious Monaco Diamond League meet on July 11, scheduled for 11:17 PM IST.
Though not part of the main Diamond League lineup, this U23 showcase brings together some of the fastest young sprinters from around the world and Kujur’s presence here is yet another marker of his meteoric rise.
With a personal and national record of 20.32s in the 200m and a stunning 10.18s in the 100m both set in 2025 Kujur is not just India’s fastest man but also its most consistent. From national titles to medals at the Asian level and increasingly strong performances in Europe, this Monaco outing is a well-deserved stage for the 22-year-old from Chhattisgarh.
A Star Is Born: The Rise of Animesh Kujur
Hailing from the tribal heartland of Chhattisgarh, Animesh Kujur’s story is one of perseverance, power, and precision. At just 22, he holds the national records in 100m (10.18s) and 200m (20.32s) and is a key member of India’s record-holding 4x100m relay squad. His steady climb up the national ranks began in 2022, and by 2023, he had already emerged as a top sprinter at the domestic level.
But 2025 has truly been his breakout season.
•In May, at the Dromia International Sprints Meet in Greece, he clocked 10.18s in the 100m, breaking Gurindervir Singh’s previous NR of 10.20s.
•In June, he shattered his own 200m NR at the Asian Championships, winning bronze in 20.32s, eclipsing his earlier best of 20.40s.
•At the AtleticaGeneve meet, he went even faster 20.27s, albeit with wind assistance (+2.3 m/s), which made it ineligible for record purposes.
These performances cemented Kujur’s status not just as a national hero, but a genuine prospect on the Asian and potentially global stage.
Monaco Diamond League: The Field and the Stakes
In Monaco, Animesh will line up against some of the most promising U23 sprinters globally. The entry list includes:
•Gout Gout (Australia, SB: 20.02) – The teen prodigy with one of the fastest U20 times ever.
•Busang Collen Kebinatshipi (Botswana, 20.08) A powerful sprinter from Africa’s deep sprinting lineage.
•Naeem Jack (South Africa, 20.13)
•Adem Abdelkader Benyache (Algeria, 20.83)
•Louis Cantos (France, 21.96)
•Karim Sfaxi (France, 22.88)
With his season best at 20.32s, Animesh enters the field seeded fourth but is capable of pushing into the top three. All eyes, however, will be on the showdown between Gout and Kujur two sprinters on upward trajectories with sub-20.40 credentials.
For Kujur, this race is not just about medals but exposure, experience, and establishing his credentials against athletes who are being groomed for Olympic platforms.
Powered by Performance and a System Behind It
Animesh Kujur’s recent rise isn’t accidental. A part of the Reliance Foundation’s high-performance program, he has benefited from professional training, international exposure, and consistent support. The foundation has sent a group of India’s top sprinters Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, Gurindervir Singh, Lalu Bhoi, and Jayaram Srinivas on a European circuit this summer.
This move has paid off, with Indian sprinters recording their fastest ever times overseas, often against elite competition. From Greece to Geneva to Monaco, the relay team and individual sprinters are gaining both confidence and race maturity—something that was missing in earlier years of Indian athletics.
The Road So Far: Key 2025 Highlights
Here’s a quick look at Animesh Kujur’s 2025 milestones:
•10.18s in 100m (Dromia, Greece) – New National Record
•20.32s in 200m (Asian Athletics, Bangkok) – Bronze + NR
•20.27s in 200m (AtleticaGeneve, Switzerland) – Fastest ever by an Indian (wind-aided)
•Multiple Sub-10.25s & Sub-20.50s runs – Establishing consistency
•European Tour Appearances – Bringing Indian sprinting to global elite meets
His remarkable consistency clocking near-record times across multiple meets has earned him the tag of “Mr. Consistent” in Indian athletics circles. But beyond that, it’s the composure he brings in pressure situations that has drawn comparisons with elite international performers.
What This Race Means for Indian Athletics
The Monaco Diamond League may not be a medal event for Animesh in the traditional Diamond League format, but the U23 showcase is a crucial platform. It’s rare for Indian sprinters especially in 100m or 200m to feature in European meets with such high visibility.
For young athletes in India, watching Animesh go stride for stride with the likes of Gout Gout in Monaco is symbolic it signals a future where Indian sprinters are no longer outliers but contenders.
Just a few years ago, breaking the 10.30s barrier in the 100m seemed out of reach. Today, India has a sprinter in the 10.1s and sub-20.35s zone—and he’s only 22.
Jai Johar, Animesh
Proudly representing his tribal roots, Animesh Kujur is not just sprinting for records he’s sprinting for recognition, for change, and for a generation of athletes from underrepresented regions. His journey from Chhattisgarh to the Diamond League encapsulates the rise of India’s grassroots talent on a world stage.
As he steps onto the track at Stade Louis II on July 11, there’s no pressure only potential.
A good start, clean curve, and a strong finish that’s all it takes. But in Animesh Kujur’s case, every stride already speaks
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