Team India scripted ultrarunning history at the IAU 24-Hour Asia & Oceania Championship in Hirosaki, Japan, in May 2026, retaining the continental title for a third consecutive edition — 2022, 2024, and 2026 — while setting a new Asia-Oceania team record and delivering the best performance ever by an Indian squad at any IAU Championship.

Men's Team Sweeps the Podium

Amar Singh Devanda claimed individual gold with a distance of 282.881 km (226 laps), establishing a new Indian National Record and the top men's 24-hour performance globally in 2026. He came within three kilometres of the Asian Record, and his total was just 13 km short of the highest team total ever recorded at a world championship.

Geeno Antony took silver with 272.894 km (218 laps), and Saurav Kumar Ranjan claimed bronze with 260.058 km (208 laps) — a clean sweep of the individual men's podium by India. The men's team combined for 815.833 km, surpassing Japan's 754.726 km and Australia's 732.525 km, and setting a new Asia-Oceania record. It is also the highest team total ever recorded by an Asian nation at any IAU Championship.

Women's Team Wins Bronze, Dolma Sets National Record

In the women's event, Japan claimed team gold with 707.357 km, followed by Australia with 684.450 km. India took the bronze medal with a combined distance of 667.722 km. Tenzin Dolma led the Indian women's contingent with 228.939 km, finishing fourth overall and setting a new Indian National Record in the process.

Dolma, who hails from a remote village in the mountains of Himachal Pradesh, reflected on the significance of the achievement. 'To come from a remote village in the mountains of Himachal and achieve success at this level is truly something special. It brings not only great pride but also hope and potential development to my village,' she said. She also called for greater financial support for ultra-athletes, noting that 'funding is scarce — from government, private individuals, or corporate sponsors.'

Record-Breaking Performances Across the Board

The championship produced new Indian National Records in both the 12-hour and 24-hour categories for men and women. Eight out of eleven Indian athletes recorded personal bests during the event. Devanda's winning distance of 282.881 km is the second-best performance ever by an Asian athlete in the 24-hour event, according to available records.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) selected and trained the squad, supported by a full multidisciplinary team including physiotherapists, nutritionists, and strength and conditioning coaches.

What the Coaches and Athletes Said

Head Coach and Team Manager Santhosh Padmanabhan said, 'We are grateful for this moment — it is an achievement the entire Indian ultrarunning community can celebrate. This victory belongs not only to the athletes, but to every supporter who believed in Indian ultrarunning.'

Devanda, reflecting on his individual gold, said, 'This performance was not just about distance or records. It was about representing India with pride and pushing myself beyond every limit physically and mentally... To set a new Indian National Record and achieve the second-best performance ever by an Asian athlete in this event is truly special for me. I hope this inspires more Indian athletes to believe that we can compete with the very best in the world in endurance sports.'

India's Growing Force in Global Ultrarunning

India's third consecutive Asia-Oceania championship title underscores a structural rise in the country's endurance running ecosystem. With national records falling across multiple categories and eight personal bests in a single championship, the AFI-backed programme appears to be delivering consistent results. The next challenge for the squad will be closing the remaining gap to world championship-level totals — a target that now looks within reach.