Animesh Kujur’s Giant Stride

 Animesh Kujur’s Giant Stride – A Historic National Record in Indian Sprinting

CLAT 2026 | Environmental Law, Data Ethics & Institutional Accountability | CLAT Gurukul Current Affairs Series

Introduction:

In a remarkable breakthrough for Indian athletics, 22-year-old sprinter Animesh Kujur from Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, has scripted history by breaking the national record in the men’s 100m sprint with a timing of 10.18 seconds at the Dromia International Sprint and Relay Meet in Greece. With this feat, he has also become the national record holder in both 100m and 200m, putting him in an elite category of Indian sprinters and marking a significant milestone in the evolution of Indian track and field sports.

This achievement comes after years of meticulous training, including conditioning under Winter Olympics coach Chris Woolley in Switzerland, and reflects the growing global competitiveness of Indian athletics. For aspirants preparing for CLAT 2026, this event forms an important piece under Current Affairs 2026, especially for topics related to sports law, international sports events, and sports infrastructure development in India.

Why in News:

• Animesh Kujur broke the national 100m sprint record with a time of 10.18 seconds, surpassing the previous records held by Indian sprinters.
• He also holds the national record in 200m, making him the fastest Indian sprinter across both categories.
• This feat was achieved during the Dromia International Sprint and Relay Meet in Vari, Greece.
• Kujur was trained under a Winter Olympics coach in Switzerland, showcasing the increasing global exposure of Indian athletes.

This development has major implications for India’s representation in global athletics, and for legal and policy frameworks related to sports. It deserves the attention of every serious aspirant preparing with the best online coaching for CLAT, especially for topics intersecting law, society, and sports.

Point-Wise Summary of the Article:

1. Historic Performance at Dromia Meet, Greece

• Event: Dromia International Sprint and Relay Meet
• Location: Vari, Greece
• Performance: Animesh clocked 10.18 seconds in 100m, breaking the national record.
• Ranking: He came third behind:
  • Benjamin Richardson (South Africa) – 10.01s
  • Ali Al Balushi (Oman) – 10.13s

2. Breaking the Previous Records

• The table shows the progression of India’s 100m record:
  • Gurindervir Singh (2023) – 10.22s
  • Amlan Borgohain (2022) – 10.25s
  • Anil Kumar Prakash (2005) – 10.30s
  • Now Animesh Kujur – 10.18s (2025)

3. Also Holds the 200m National Record

• Earlier Achievement: Ran 20.66s in the 200m sprint at the Spain Heusden 2022 Meet, which remains the national record.
• Uniqueness: First Indian to hold both 100m and 200m national records simultaneously.

4. Coach from Winter Olympics: Chris Woolley

• Animesh trained in Switzerland under Chris Woolley, a coach associated with Winter Olympic sports like bobsleigh.
• The approach involved strengthening Kujur’s explosiveness and muscle conditioning, crucial for short sprints.

5. Tribal Roots and Humble Background

• Animesh hails from the tribal heartland of Jashpur, Chhattisgarh.
• The 22-year-old’s rise is a story of determination, smart training, and elite exposure.
• His success reflects India’s growing athletic talent beyond metros and elite academies.

6. European Exposure

• Participation in European meets has been crucial for performance growth.
• Competing in faster lanes with high-quality opposition ensures steady improvement.
• His next meet is scheduled in Monaco Diamond League (DL).

7. Scientific Approach to Training

• Coach Owens highlighted how training with athletes from different disciplines (e.g., Winter sports) helps overcome conventional limitations in sprinting.
• Speed + strength training + European competitions = formula for record-breaking success.

8. Race Breakdown and Performance

• Wind speed during the 100m race was within the legal limit at +2.3m/s.
• The coach noted that although the race wasn’t perfectly executed technically, Kujur still managed to clock 10.18s, indicating room for further improvement.

9. Next Target: Monaco Diamond League

• Kujur is expected to compete in Monaco, which is one of the premier international athletics circuits.
• This will further boost his exposure, readiness for World Championships and potentially, the 2028 Olympics.

Legal and Policy Implications:

1. Sports Infrastructure and Law

• Kujur’s training in Switzerland raises questions about the sufficiency of India’s sports infrastructure.
• The National Sports Policy, Khelo India initiative, and sports quotas in law and services become relevant topics.

2. Foreign Coaches and India’s Sports Policy

• What role should foreign coaches play in India’s sports development?
• Legal regulation and employment conditions for foreign experts fall under Labour Law and Contract Law.

3. Athlete Representation and Rights

• How should Indian athletes be protected under law from exploitation, doping, or mismanagement?
• This relates to Sports Law, International Arbitration, and WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) norms.

4. Diversity and Inclusion in Sports

• Animesh’s tribal background is a critical aspect of inclusive development and affirmative action in sports policy.

Important Notes & Terms:

1. Dromia International Sprint Meet:

An annual European athletics competition for elite sprinters, used as a qualifying and benchmarking event.

2. Wind Speed Legality in Sprinting:

A sprint time is valid for record purposes only if the tailwind does not exceed +2.0m/s. Animesh’s 10.18s timing had a legal tailwind of +2.3m/s, which is at the threshold of acceptability.

3. National Record:

The best official performance recorded by an Indian athlete in a particular event under verified conditions.

4. Bobsleigh Coach:

Chris Woolley, associated with winter sports, applied strength and speed conditioning techniques from bobsleigh (a winter sport requiring explosive starts) to sprinting.

5. Monaco Diamond League:

One of the elite athletic competitions globally, where the world’s top sprinters participate. It serves as a platform for Olympic qualification and ranking improvement.

Implications for CLAT 2026 Aspirants:

1. Current Affairs 2026 Focus:

This event is a likely inclusion in GK and Current Affairs passages or MCQs for CLAT. Be ready to face comprehension or analytical reasoning questions related to sports achievements and governance.

2. Legal Reasoning Possibilities:

Topics like:

• Should foreign coaches be regulated?
• How can tribal athletes be given more support through affirmative action?
• Should sports records have legal implications for endorsements or disputes?

3. Essay and Interview Topics:

• “Role of scientific training in Indian sports.”
• “India’s slow but steady rise in athletics.”
• “Why we need a stronger sports law framework in India.”

4. Sports Law Awareness:

• Know the key provisions of National Sports Code (2011).
• Understand BCCI vs. Lodha Committee if sports administration comes into question.

Conclusion:

Animesh Kujur’s incredible feat of becoming the fastest Indian in both 100m and 200m sprint events marks a transformative moment in Indian athletics. It is not just a story of timing but of discipline, innovation, cross-disciplinary coaching, and global exposure. Coming from a tribal district, trained by a Winter Olympics coach, and achieving success on a European platform, Kujur represents the new face of Indian sports—diverse, determined, and global.

For CLAT aspirants preparing with the best online coaching for CLAT, such developments serve as vital learning opportunities—not just for exam content, but also for understanding how law, policy, and society interact in the realm of sports.