Asian Championships bronze medallist in 200m is taking utmost precautions to peak at the right time.

National record holder in men’s 100m/200m, Animesh Kujur has restructured his training plans to deliver when it matters. With an aim to win a medal at the Japan Asian Games in September, Odisha’s rising sprinter plans to gradually build up and peak at the right time. “Last year I improved both national 100m and 200m records early in the season. But as the season progressed my body wasn’t responding due to fatigue,” recalls the 22 years old Asian bronze medallist in men’s 200m.

Animesh Kujur learnt the hard way. He was out in the first round of the 200m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Japan. His time of 20.77 seconds in Japan was slower than his national record of 20.32 seconds clocked earlier in May in 2025.  “With an aim to improve my performance I competed in too many competitions. Instead of clocking a better time, I started slowing down,” Animesh Kujur reveals.

This year, Animesh Kujur claims, he has restructured his training plans. “I don’t want to repeat the same mistakes again this year,” he says.

In his season opening 100m dash at the Indian Athletics Series held in Delhi on April 13, he was comfortable winner with a time of 10.28 seconds. Last year in July his personal best and national record was 10.18 secs.

“I’m happy with my performance in April as the main goal is to excel at the Japan Asian Games in September,” he says.

EOM