Promising 22-year-old sprinter Animesh Kujur, who has been competing tirelessly and has achieved National records in the 100m and 200m this season, has set out on the path of improvement in 2025.
Having won the Asian championships 200m bronze medal with a National record of 20.32 in Gumi, South Korea, after setting the record at 20.40 at the Federation meet in Kochi, being part of the 4x100m National record making team (38.69, Reliance) at the National Open Relay in Chandigarh and bettering the National record in 100m with an effort of 10.18 in Athens, Animesh is in the middle of his breakthrough year.
Getting used to travelling, competing in different climates and going through a hectic schedule, he is gathering invaluable experience just a year before important multi-sport Games, including the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games.
A realistic Animesh is aware of the challenge of qualifying for the World championships in Japan next month. However, he nurtures hopes, however slim they maybe, of making the cut for the elite event through ‘Road to Tokyo’ rankings in order to gain an extraordinary exposure which may propel his growth further.
Despite his hectic schedule during India’s maiden World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event at the Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, he took some time to speak about his new experience this season and his quest for improvement.
Excerpts:
How do you look back at your journey this season up to the Continental Tour?
I started the season with the National Games, and won three gold medals there. I tried but didn’t get the National record. When I got 20.58 (over 200m) there, I felt that I started late. Similarly, in the 100m, I did 10.28. I couldn’t execute as much as I wanted to. My body had the capability for a 10.1 race. But, I couldn’t push. I started working, came to the Federation meet. That was the last competition to qualify for the Asian Championships. I qualified with a gold (and a National record of 20.40 in 200m). I was very happy because it was my first international meet.
In the Asian Championships I did well. I didn’t waste much of my energy during the heats and semifinals. In the 200m final, I was having fun with the crowd. Then I won bronze in 200m clocking 20.32 and broke my National record. I was very happy. Unfortunately, the 4x100m relay was not that good. I did the relay in Taiwan and we medalled there (38.75).
Then I went to Europe, did the competition in Geneva. I got good points. Before going to Greece, I was training in Switzerland. The strength-and-conditioning coach (Chris Wolley at the Swiss Olympic Medical Centre), who used to be a sprinter, looked at my physique and told me ‘I know where you are lacking.’ So I mostly worked on the blocks.
When I went to Greece, I didn’t expect to break my National record. I just wanted to start well. I got a chance in this competition (Dromia International Sprint). When I saw the time was 10.20 on the clock, I thought I could have done better. I went to the stands to be with my coach (Martin Owens). He said I did 10.18. Then I realised that I had broken my National record. Because without glasses I couldn’t see too far and couldn’t see the board which was placed at the starting point. The coach was happy and relieved.
In the Monaco Diamond League, I (competed in the under-23 section and) met a lot of people. I met Noah Lyles and Femke Bol. I saw Mondo Duplantis, but could not meet him.
What was your learning?
The main thing I learned was how to handle big back-to-back events. I saw the difference between the warm-up patterns of the elite athletes and our athletes and implemented those. I noticed that in big events, I did not get under pressure. I enjoyed those moments. I was able to compete well.
It was a first time experience for me and for my coach as well. I didn’t know how to manage the competition. My coach gave me a new experience. I learned a lot. I want to improve my performance for the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games next year.
How do you rate your performance at the Continental Tour Bronze event?
For 200m, it was easy to qualify for the finals. I was on home track. I had a little pressure because it was my first international meet here. So I had to perform well. In the final, the Korean (Ko Seunghwan) did not have that much of a lead. I knew I would make a comeback (in the last 30-40m and I did so to win with 20.77). The coach asked me to maintain my form. Every athlete’s form dips in the last 50m. That’s why the coach asked me to maintain my form.
How do you approach a 200m race?
Oh! my secrets will be out (laughs). I always push from the curve and try to win. The straight part, the 80m, that is my main part. I maintain my form there. That is the finishing part. For every athlete, their form dips but I maintain my form. That is the best part for me.
Whenever I do a competition I give my best. For example, I did 20.40 in India. After one week I did 20.45 in Dubai and I was like, why? If I perform below-par in a competition, I get disappointed.
How do you see your chances of qualifying for the World Championships?
I don’t have high expectations. I just want to do well. I performed well here and I didn’t disappoint the organisers. For World Championships qualification, I am looking at the rankings. Because for 20.16, I know I have to train more.
You had been competing a lot throughout the season. Are you tired?
I went to Europe. I was competing a lot. Since the time I returned from Europe, I have been struggling with a cold. I was there for one-and-a-half months. The weather was cooler over there and suddenly it’s hot and humid here. But I will get used to it again.
Published – August 19, 2025 12:11 am IST
