Odisha's Sprinter Srabani Nanda & Animesh Kujur at 26th Asian Athletics Championships 2025
Odisha is celebrating a moment of immense pride as its athletes, Srabani Nanda and Animesh Kujur, delivered stellar performances at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships 2025, held in Gumi, South Korea. Their achievements have brought glory to the state. Srabani Nanda played a pivotal role in securing a silver medal for India’s women’s 4x100m relay team, while Animesh Kujur clinched a bronze in the men’s 200m, setting a new national record. These accomplishments were lauded by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi and Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj.
Who Are Srabani Nanda and Animesh Kujur?
Srabani Nanda, hailing from Kandhamal district, is a veteran sprinter. Nanda has represented India on global stages, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games, where she won a bronze in the women’s 4x100m relay, and the 2016 Rio Olympics in the women’s 200m. Her journey began in her village, overcoming financial constraints and societal expectations. Nanda’s dedication led her to train rigorously, eventually earning her a spot among India’s elite athletes. Her silver medal at the 2025 Championships adds to her illustrious career.
Animesh Kujur, a 21-year-old sprinter, has emerged as one of India’s fastest runners. Originally from Chhattisgarh, Kujur relocated to Odisha to train at the Odisha Reliance Foundation High Performance Centre (HPC) in Bhubaneswar. His journey to national prominence began with a friend’s encouragement to try sprinting, leading to a meteoric rise. Kujur’s standout performances at domestic events, such as the Indian Grand Prix 2 in Trivandrum, where he clocked 10.31s in the 100m and 20.55s in the 200m, showcased his potential. His bronze medal and national record at the 2025 Championships mark him as a future global contender.
Odisha’s Medal Haul at Asian Athletics Championships 2025
Medals Won by Odisha Athletes
Odisha’s athletes shone brightly at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships. Srabani Nanda, alongside teammates Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha SS, and Nithya Gandhe, secured a silver medal in the women’s 4x100m relay with a season-best time of 43.86 seconds, finishing just behind China’s 43.28 seconds. This marked India’s first silver in the event in 25 years, a historic achievement. Animesh Kujur clinched a bronze in the men’s 200m, clocking 20.32 seconds, surpassing his national record of 20.40 set earlier at the Federation Cup. His performance made him only the second Indian man to medal in the 200m at the Championships, following Dharambir Singh’s 2015 bronze.
Animesh Kujur’s Record-Breaking Feat
Kujur’s 20.32-second run was a defining moment, breaking his national record and earning him a podium finish. Despite a challenging start, his strong curve running secured the bronze, trailing Japan’s Towa Uzawa (20.12s) and Saudi Arabia’s Abdulaziz Abdu I Atafi (20.31s). “The start was not so good, but good curve running enabled me to earn a medal,” Kujur said. His coach, Martin Owens, praised his maturity, noting, “Animesh demonstrated a high level of maturity for a 21-year-old in his first major championship.”
India’s Performance and Odisha’s Contribution
India’s Overall Medal Tally
India concluded the 2025 Championships with an impressive haul of 24 medals (8 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze), securing second place behind China (26 medals, 15 gold). Notable performers included Gulveer Singh, who won gold in the men’s 5000m and 10000m, and Parul Chaudhary, who earned silver in the women’s 5000m and 3000m steeplechase. The women’s 4x100m relay team, featuring Nanda, and javelin thrower Sachin Yadav’s silver (85.16m) were among the highlights.
Odisha’s Role in India’s Success
Odisha’s athletes were instrumental in India’s strong showing. Nanda’s experience and Kujur’s record-breaking sprint added to the state’s pride. The Odisha Reliance Foundation HPC, where Kujur trains, played a crucial role, with its world-class facilities nurturing talents who contributed five medals to India’s tally. Sports Minister Suryabanshi Suraj emphasized, “The wonderful performance of our Odisha sportspersons is a matter of pride for us, inspiring future generations, particularly women, to pursue sports.”
The 2025 Asian Athletics Championships: Atmosphere and Impact
Event Overview and Atmosphere
Held from May 27 to May 31, 2025, in Gumi, South Korea, the Championships saw fierce competition among Asia’s top athletes. A 59-member Indian contingent, including 10 Reliance Foundation athletes, competed across various events. The atmosphere was electric. Odisha’s athletes, backed by a robust support system, thrived in this high-stakes environment, contributing to India’s best gold medal tally since 2017.
Top Performers and Odisha’s Pride
Besides Nanda and Kujur, athletes like Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles gold), Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase gold), and Nandini Agasara (heptathlon gold) shone for India. Odisha’s contribution, however, stood out, with Chief Minister Majhi noting, “Nanda’s achievement is a matter of pride for Odisha. Her efforts will inspire many others in our state.” The state’s leaders see these successes as a catalyst for building a stronger sports ecosystem.
