Prime Minister Narendra Modi personally called sprinters Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur on 31 May, lauding them for shattering India's national record in the Men's 100 metres three times within two days at the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Speaking during the 134th episode of his monthly radio programme 'Mann Ki Baat', Modi described their achievement as 'exemplary work' and expressed confidence that the duo would carry Indian sprinting to new heights.

A Historic 100m Sprint Weekend in Ranchi

The National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi drew approximately 800 athletes from across the country. Over the course of the event, four national records were broken in four different disciplines — by Gurindervir Singh, Vishak TK, Tejaswin Shankar, Dev Meena, and Kuldeep Kumar. The most talked-about sequence, however, was in the Men's 100 metres, where the national record changed hands three times in just two days, with Gurindervir and Kujur alternately raising the bar.

Gurindervir ultimately clocked 10.1 seconds, becoming India's fastest sprinter. The back-and-forth record-breaking between the two athletes drew widespread attention, with Modi himself noting that the friendly rivalry had electrified the athletics community.

Who Are Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur

Gurindervir Singh currently serves in the Indian Navy as a Petty Officer. A product of a sporting household, he told the Prime Minister that his father and grandfather were also sportsmen. 'During festivals like Diwali and New Year, when people used to clean their homes, I used to clean my father's trophies and medals. I used to like it a lot and feel very happy,' Gurindervir said.

Animesh Kujur hails from Jashpur, Chhattisgarh, and competes in short-sprint events — a discipline he reportedly took up during the Covid pandemic. He noted that short sprints remain a relatively underrepresented domain in Indian athletics, which has traditionally been stronger in throwing and middle-distance events.

What Modi Said — and What the Athletes Replied

Modi acknowledged the longstanding perception that Indian athletes are not built for the 100 metres, saying, 'People say bodies of Indians are not made to run in 100 metres, despite this difficulty, you both achieved this.' He praised the competitive camaraderie between the two, asking, on a lighter note, whether they had placed a friendly wager on breaking each other's records.

Kujur replied: 'We had decided to break each other's record and today, it was done by us only, so it's fine... We know we have to take India's sprinting forward.' Gurindervir added: 'Outside the ground, we are friends, but on the ground, we are competitors. We try to run faster than each other.'

Broader Significance for Indian Athletics

India's short-sprint pipeline has historically lagged behind its strength in field events and middle-distance running. The triple national-record sequence in a single competition signals a generational shift, with a Navy serviceman and a pandemic-era convert from Chhattisgarh now setting the pace. This comes amid growing institutional investment in track and field ahead of upcoming international competitions.

Modi closed his remarks by framing the achievement beyond sport: 'The competition you both have participated in is to enhance the country's honour, to take the country to greater heights and with a positive spirit.' Both athletes are expected to represent India at upcoming international athletics meets.