India's National Inter-State Athletics Championships Yield Multiple Asian Games Qualifiers
The 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar (June 24-27, 2026) served as India's final selection event for the Asian Games. Athletes set several national records, including Ancy Sojan in long jump (6.88m), Sarvesh Kushare in high jump (2.31m), Anushka Yadav in hammer throw (67.02m), and Sindhushree G. in pole vault (4.25m). Multiple athletes, including Jyothi Yarraji, Tejas Shirse, and Praveen Chithravel, secured Asian Games berths. A new ₹22 crore track was completed despite shipping disruptions from the Iran war.
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National inter-State athletics: Ancy shatters Anju's 22-year-old National record
At the National inter-State athletics meet in Bhubaneswar on June 27, 2026, Ancy Sojan spectacularly broke Anju Bobby George's 22-year-old National record in women's long jump with a leap of 6.88m. Sarvesh Kushare set a new men's high jump national record of 2.31m, surpassing Tejaswin Shankar's eight-year-old mark, and became the first Indian to clear 2.30m. In men's 1500m, Yoonus Shah clocked 3:37.55 to break Bahadur Prasad's 31-year-old record. Other notable performances include Yashas P. winning men's 400m hurdles in a photo-finish, and several athletes achieving Asian Games qualification marks. The event also featured results in multiple track and field disciplines for both men and women.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.National inter-State athletics: Shirse wins hurdles; Chithravel qualifies for Asian Games
The National inter-State athletics championships in Bhubaneswar saw several athletes qualify for the Asian Games. National record holder Tejas Shirse won the men's 110m hurdles gold with a time of 13.61 seconds after qualifying for the Asian Games in heats. Praveen Chithravel won triple jump gold with 16.92m, also meeting the Asian Games qualifying standard. Vithya Ramraj clocked 56.69 seconds in the women's 400m hurdles heats to make the cut. Multiple athletes in triple jump, women's discus throw, and men's hammer throw achieved qualifying marks, though only two per event will be selected. Chithravel plans to compete in Europe before the Commonwealth and Asian Games.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Sindhushree outjumps Baranica for pole vault gold and Asiad ticket
At the 65th National inter-State senior athletics championship in Bhubaneswar on June 25, 2026, the unheralded Sindhushree G. from Karnataka won the women's pole vault gold with a National record of 4.25m, defeating favorite Baranica Elangovan and qualifying for the Asian Games. Sindhushree, who trained with a borrowed pole and dedicated her win to her late father, also secured an Asiad berth. Other Asian Games qualifiers included Animesh Kujur (men's 200m, 20.74), Harita Bhadra (women's 200m, 23.14), Unnathi Bollanda (women's 200m, 23.40), and Gowthami Jayaraman (women's 800m, 2:04.17). Tejas Shirse set a meet record in men's 110m hurdles (13.43), also qualifying for the Asian Games.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.Anushka Yadav, Dev Meena, and Jyothi Yarraji Qualify for Asian Games at National Inter-State Athletics Meet
At the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championship in Bhubaneswar on June 24, 2026, three Indian athletes secured their spots for the Asian Games. Eighteen-year-old hammer thrower Anushka Yadav from Uttar Pradesh broke a nine-year-old National record with a throw of 67.02m, improving her personal best by over five meters despite recovering from a knee injury sustained while helping her father in the fields. Pole vaulter Dev Meena of Madhya Pradesh also bettered the National record (5.46m) to qualify. Hurdler Jyothi Yarraji of Andhra Pradesh made a stunning comeback from injury, timing 12.99 seconds in the women's 100m hurdles final after clocking 13.14 in the heats. Meanwhile, National record holder Gulveer Singh won the men's 5000m but failed to achieve the Asian Games qualifying mark. A total of 15 athletes qualified in the men's 800m heats.
The Hindu: Latest News today from India and the World, Breaking news, Top Headlines and Trending News Videos.National Inter-State Athletics: Kalinga Ready as Indian Athletes Make Last-Gasp Effort for Asiad Berth
The 65th National inter-State senior athletics championship begins at Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, serving as the final selection opportunity for Indian athletes to qualify for the Asian Games. A new track, costing ₹22 crore, was completed despite shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the Iran war. Notable athletes include 5000m record holder Gulveer Singh, high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, sprinter Animesh Kujur, and pole vaulters Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar. Top names such as Neeraj Chopra, Gurindervir Singh, and Tejaswin Shankar received exemptions from the meet. The event features several national record holders and the comeback of hurdler Jyothi Yarraji after a year-long injury layoff.
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