Kiran Pahal wins women's 400m at Indian Athletics Series Surat leg
Synopsis
Paris Olympian Kiran Pahal dominated the women's 400m at the Indian Athletics Series in Surat, but the day's standout subplot was Naveen Kumar Dagar's return to competition — the Haryana steeplechaser winning after a long competitive absence. The 12th leg delivered a full card of results, with Under-20 sprinters also catching the eye.
Key Takeaways
Kiran Pahal (Haryana) won the women's 400m in 53.49 seconds at the Indian Athletics Series Surat leg on 16 June .
Pahal, 25 , is a 2024 Paris Olympian with a personal best of 50.92 seconds .
Pradeep S. (Tamil Nadu) took the men's 400m title in 48.41 seconds .
Naveen Kumar Dagar (Haryana) won the men's 3,000m steeplechase in 9:09.80 seconds on his return from a long competitive break.
Charu Shoukeen (Delhi) was the fastest woman of the day, clocking 12.29 seconds in the women's 100m .
This was the 12th leg of the Indian Athletics Series , a key domestic selection circuit.
Kiran Pahal of Haryana claimed a commanding victory in the women's 400m at the 12th leg of the Indian Athletics Series in Surat on Tuesday, 16 June, clocking 53.49 seconds to top the podium. The 25-year-old Paris Olympian, who carries a personal best of 50.92 seconds, was well clear of the field on the day.
Pahal's Season in Context
Pahal's winning time of 53.49 seconds falls short of her season-best 52.89 seconds, recorded at the earlier Ludhiana leg of the same series. She represented India at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, making her one of the more decorated athletes on the domestic circuit this season. Akanksha Gavade of Maharashtra finished second in 58.70 seconds, while Rama Tanwar of Rajasthan took third in 1:02.21.
Men's Track Highlights
The men's 400m title went to Pradeep S. of Tamil Nadu, who crossed the line in 48.41 seconds. Brajesh Singh of Madhya Pradesh finished second in 48.70 seconds and Vedant Sananse of Maharashtra third in 48.85 seconds. In the men's 800m, Nilkantha Ray of the Army clocked 1:50.45 to take gold, edging Shiva Tomar of Uttar Pradesh (1:50.78).
Naveen Kumar Dagar's Comeback
One of the notable stories of the day was the return of Naveen Kumar Dagar of Haryana, who won the men's 3,000m steeplechase in 9:09.80 seconds after a prolonged absence from competition. Ashish Pal of All India Police finished second in 9:21.28 seconds and Raj Kumar of Uttar Pradesh third in 9:21.85 seconds.
Women's Sprint and Field Results
Charu Shoukeen of Delhi was the fastest woman on the track, winning the women's 100m in 12.29 seconds. Heeral Johri of Madhya Pradesh placed second in 12.56 seconds and Chaarvi Poojari of Uttar Pradesh third in 12.79 seconds. In the women's triple jump, Aleena T Saji of Kerala led with 12.88m, ahead of Arshdeep Kaur of Punjab (12.67m) and Jenimol Joy of All India Police (12.42m).
Field Events and Under-20 Action
In the men's javelin throw, Aditya of Haryana topped the standings with 67.74m, followed by Sarvesh Bharat of Maharashtra (66.40m) and Nitesh Yadav of the Army (65.05m). The men's long jump was won by Avinash Kumar of Haryana with 7.72m. In the Under-20 men's 400m, Himanshu Rajendra of Gujarat clocked a sharp 47.66 seconds to take gold, while Kajal of Gujarat won the U20 women's 100m in 12.02 seconds. The series continues to serve as a key domestic proving ground ahead of the national selection calendar.
Point of View
But for a Paris Olympian running 53-second 400m legs, it raises questions about whether the domestic circuit is providing adequate competitive stimulus. Dagar's comeback in the steeplechase is the more interesting data point: his return time of 9:09.80 will need significant improvement if he is to factor into national selection. The Under-20 results, particularly Himanshu Rajendra's 47.66 in the 400m, are worth monitoring as the junior pipeline shapes up ahead of the next Asian Youth cycle.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was Kiran Pahal's winning time at the Indian Athletics Series Surat leg?
Kiran Pahal clocked 53.49 seconds to win the women's 400m at the 12th leg of the Indian Athletics Series in Surat on 16 June. Her season-best of 52.89 seconds was set at the earlier Ludhiana leg of the same series.
Who is Kiran Pahal and why does she matter in Indian athletics?
Kiran Pahal is a 25-year-old 400m runner from Haryana who represented India at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. She holds a personal best of 50.92 seconds, making her one of India's top women's quarter-milers on the current circuit.
Who won the men's 400m at the Indian Athletics Series in Surat?
Pradeep S. of Tamil Nadu won the men's 400m with a time of 48.41 seconds. Brajesh Singh of Madhya Pradesh finished second in 48.70 seconds and Vedant Sananse of Maharashtra third in 48.85 seconds.
What was significant about Naveen Kumar Dagar's performance in Surat?
Naveen Kumar Dagar of Haryana won the men's 3,000m steeplechase in 9:09.80 seconds, marking his return to competition after a prolonged absence. His comeback was one of the notable storylines from the 12th leg of the Indian Athletics Series.
What is the Indian Athletics Series?
The Indian Athletics Series is a multi-leg domestic track and field circuit that serves as a key competitive platform for Indian athletes across senior and Under-20 categories. The Surat meet was its 12th leg of the current season.
