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PM Modi praised India’s athletics surge in Mann Ki Baat after the 100m national record fell three times in two days, highlighting Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur.
Gurindervir Singh (X/AFI Media)
Indian athletics received a ringing endorsement from Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday as he opened the latest edition of Mann Ki Baat by celebrating a remarkable week for the country’s track and field stars.
The Prime Minister highlighted the record-breaking performances at the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi, where Indian athletics witnessed one of its most memorable moments in recent years.
Most notably, the national record in the men’s 100 metres changed hands three times in the span of just two days.
A Sprint Rivalry Driving Indian Athletics Forward
Modi reserved special praise for sprinters Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur, whose thrilling duel turned the men’s 100m into the headline act of the competition.
“Within just two days, the national record in the 100-metre race was broken thrice. The two athletes who achieved this remarkable feat are Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur. I thought that this time in Mann Ki Baat, let us talk to these two athletes,” Modi said.
The record-breaking sequence began when Gurindervir clocked 10.17 seconds in the first semifinal, eclipsing Animesh’s previous national mark of 10.18 seconds. Animesh responded almost immediately, running 10.15 seconds in the second semifinal to reclaim the record.
But Gurindervir had the final say. The Indian Navy athlete produced a stunning run of 10.09 seconds in the final, becoming the first Indian ever to dip below the 10.10-second barrier.
Speaking to the Prime Minister, Gurindervir described the healthy relationship he shares with Animesh.
While the two train together and help each other improve, competition takes over once they step onto the track.
“We are friends and help each other in practice, but during a race, we are competitors,” Gurindervir said.
A Childhood Promise Fulfilled
The newly crowned national record holder also shared a personal story that drew smiles during the conversation.
Gurindervir recalled how his mother often discouraged him from watching television as a child and urged him to focus on his studies. His response then was simple: one day, she would watch him on television instead.
More Records Fall In Ranchi
The sprint drama was not the only highlight of the competition.
Modi also congratulated Vishal TK, who became the first Indian to break the 45-second barrier in the 400m with a run of 44.98 seconds — currently the fastest time in Asia this season.
The Prime Minister also applauded Tejaswin Shankar, who smashed his own national decathlon record and became the first Indian to cross the 8,000-point mark, along with record-setters Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar.
“A few days back, the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition was held in Jharkhand’s Ranchi. During this, four national records were broken in four different events. Gurindervir Singh, Vishal TK, Tejaswin Shankar, Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar made new records in different categories. I congratulate them wholeheartedly,” Modi said.
(with agency inputs)
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