In a stunning rise that has electrified Indian athletics, Animesh Kujur, a 22-year-old sprinter from a tribal village in Chhattisgarh, has become the fastest man in India. His journey—from dusty fields in Jashpur to global tracks in Europe—is a story of grit, discipline, and unshakable ambition. As of July 2025, Animesh holds national records in both the 100m and 200m sprint events, marking a new era for Indian track and field.
Roots in Jashpur: A Tribal Boy with Olympic Dreams
Born on 2 June 2003 in Ghuitangar, a tribal-dominated village in Jashpur district of Chhattisgarh, Animesh Kujur hails from a humble family. His parents, both in the police force, instilled in him the values of discipline, hard work, and resilience. These early lessons became the foundation of his athletic journey.
He was educated at Sainik School Ambikapur, where structured physical training first revealed his potential. Interestingly, Animesh began his athletic career not on the track, but as a footballer. It wasn’t until a 2021 state-level competition that his sprinting abilities were recognized by coach Dinesh Tandhi, who encouraged him to pursue sprinting seriously.
The Breakthrough: National Records and International Medals
Animesh first made national headlines in April 2025, when he ran the 200m in 20.40 seconds at the Federation Cup in Kochi, equalling the national record. But he didn’t stop there.
In May 2025, at the Asian Athletics Championships, he clocked 20.32 seconds in the 200m, winning a bronze medal and setting a new Indian record. This performance was all the more remarkable given that he was battling fever just days before the race.
Then came the defining moment of his career.
On 5 July 2025, Animesh ran the 100m in 10.18 seconds at the Dromia International Sprint and Relays Meeting in Greece. This broke the previous Indian national record of 10.20 seconds and made him the first Indian sprinter to run the 100m under 10.20 seconds.
With this, he became India’s fastest man, holding the national records for:
- 100m: 10.18s
- 200m: 20.32s
Training, Transformation, and European Exposure
Animesh’s rapid development is not just due to talent. Under the guidance of coach Martin Owens, and with support from the Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre (HPC) in Odisha, Animesh has trained in Europe to improve his technique, endurance, and mental toughness.
His training focused on:
- Speed endurance
- Curve running
- Block starts
- Race psychology
Owens described him as a “focused, intelligent, and extremely hardworking athlete who asks the right questions and always aims to improve.”
Monaco Debut and Global Aspirations
Animesh made his Diamond League debut in Monaco in July 2025, competing in the U23 200m event. He finished fourth with a timing of 20.55 seconds, just behind the bronze medalist. Despite the tough headwinds and international pressure, his performance signaled his readiness for the world stage.
His next target: qualify for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo (September 2025) by clocking below 20.16s in the 200m.
Why Animesh Kujur Matters
Animesh Kujur’s story is about more than athletics. It’s about representation, perseverance, and breaking barriers.
- He is India’s first tribal athlete to hold dual sprinting national records.
- He is a symbol of aspiration for countless youth in rural and tribal India.
- He is changing the narrative that India can’t produce world-class sprinters.
From a tribal village in Chhattisgarh to record-breaking tracks in Europe, Animesh Kujur has become a national icon. With unwavering focus and rapid improvement, he is poised to be India’s best bet in athletics on the global stage.
His journey reminds us that talent, when nurtured with discipline and opportunity, can defy all limits. In Animesh’s own words, “I’m not chasing records. I’m chasing my best version every day.”
By: Vijay Oraon
For firstpeople.in – Celebrating Indigenous Excellence and Indian Talent
