Animesh Kujur improved the national record to 10.15 seconds in the semifinal round to win a ticket to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games at a national meet in Ranchi

Odisha’s ace sprinter Animesh Kujur has predicted good performance on Thursday. On Friday he set the national men’s 100m record in the semifinal round to win a ticket to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in Ranchi. Seema also achieved CWG qualification mark in women’s discus throw.

Kujur, 22, bettered the national record to 10.15 seconds in the second semifinal round on day one of the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition here at Ranchi’s Birsa Munda Stadium. The Commonwealth Games qualification time in men’s 100m was 10.16 seconds.   

Spotlight was on men’s 100m sprinters on Friday. The national record was shattered twice within a short span of time.

Gurindervir Singh, dominating the first semis, clocked 10.17 seconds to better the previous national record of 10.18 seconds ​set by Kujur​ last year.

Excitement reached its zenith as a few minutes later Kujur, racing in the second semis, clocked 10.15 seconds to reclaim his national record. “It’s all about hard work,” says jubilant Animesh Kujur on winning tickets to Glasgow.

Both Kujur and Singh also improved the meet record of 10.25 set by Manikanta Hoblidhar in 2025.

Last year improved national 100m and 200m records early in the season but later he wasn’t impressive and failed to repeat his performance at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships. He was confident of not repeating the same mistake this time. “I’ve learnt the lesson the hard way,” he told Sportsbackstory.com. “Will take all precautions to stay healthy and win laurels at international level.”

EOM