Animesh Kujur Breaks National 200m Record
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Synopsis
On April 24, 2023, Odisha sprinter Animesh Kujur made a remarkable mark at the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition by breaking the men’s 200m national record with a time of 20.40 seconds, earning a gold medal. His performance, along with Praveen Chithravel's triple jump achievement, highlighted the event.
Key Takeaways
- Animesh Kujur set a new national record in the 200m.
- He clocked 20.40 seconds to win gold.
- Praveen Chithravel equalled his triple jump record.
- Both athletes qualified for upcoming championships.
- Indian athletics continues to rise on the global stage.
Kochi, April 24 (NationPress) Emerging Odisha sprinter Animesh Kujur made headlines on the concluding day of the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition by breaking the men’s 200m national record. He achieved an outstanding time of 20.40 seconds to secure the gold medal.
The 21-year-old, who had previously earned silver in the 100m event, showcased an exceptional performance that surpassed Amlan Borgohain’s former record of 20.52 seconds, established in 2022.
Running with poise and precision, Kujur surged ahead of a competitive field that included Borgohain, who finished in second place with a time of 20.80 seconds. While Kujur did not meet the World Championships qualifying standard of 20.16 seconds—a target regarded as extremely challenging for Indian sprinters—his performance was more than sufficient to exceed the Asian Championships qualifying time of 20.53 seconds set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
In the men’s triple jump, Praveen Chithravel delivered another exceptional display by equalling his own national record of 17.37m. Competing for JSW, the 23-year-old achieved this distance on his third attempt, earning gold and also securing his spot for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year. Chithravel had initially set the national record in Havana, Cuba, in May 2023, and his recent achievement once again surpassed the World Championships qualification standard of 17.22m.
With his remarkable leap of 17.37m, Chithravel also ensured qualification for the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships. The Tamil Nadu athlete opted out of the remainder of the event after reaching this milestone on his third attempt at the National Federation Senior Athletics Competition in Kochi.
