National record holder in men’s 100m and 200m will focus on domestic competitions to prepare for Glasgow Commonwealth Games

After two back-to-back technical setbacks, India’s top sprinter Animesh Kujur has to rejig his plans for the upcoming season. He will miss the World Athletics Relays in Gaborone, Botswana on May 2-3. Animesh, the Asian championships bronze medallist in men’s 200m, also holds the 100m and 200m national records.

He was disqualified in the medal round of the men’s 60m at the first National Indoor athletics championships held in Bhubaneswar on March 24 and 25. Kujur’s disappointing run continued at the first International Invitational and third National Open Relays Competition in Chandigarh on March 28.

The national 4x100m relay team in which Kujur was the anchor runner, was disqualified for baton exchange outside the zone.

“It was a golden chance in Chandigarh to qualify for the World Athletics Relays to be held in May in Botswana, but we missed the chance,” Kujur told Sportsbackstory.com after disqualification in preliminary round (4x100m relay).

The elite sprinters, including Kujur aiming for 2026 World Athletics Relays, will now have to shift their focus to domestic competitions. The 2026 season is important as it features both Glasgow Commonwealth Games (July 23 to August 2) and Asian Games in Japan (September 19 to October 4). The final selection for Commonwealth Games will be held in May and Asian Games in June.

EOM