Tamil Nadu Sprinters Rewrite Records, Light Up National Youth Championships

Tamil Nadu’s sprinters delivered the biggest statement on the opening day of the National Youth Athletics Championships in Ludhiana, with Neil Samraj R and T Mrithika rewriting the record books in the 100m.

Samraj, 17, produced the headline performance in the men’s event, clocking 10.46 seconds for gold. The run shattered the previous youth national record of 10.63 seconds set by Anshu Rajak in 2023 and also erased the 10.68-second meet record established by Parth Singh in 2024. The 0.17-second improvement over the national mark is particularly significant in a sprint event decided by hundredths.

Mrithika was equally impressive in the women’s 100m, winning in 11.78 seconds. She lowered the meet record of 11.80 seconds set by Dutee Chand in Bengaluru in 2012. She was the only finalist to break the 12-second barrier, finishing ahead of Karnataka’s Suchithra S, who clocked 12.03 seconds, and Maharashtra’s Saawari Kulkarni, who took bronze in 12.09 seconds.

Tamil Nadu’s dominance, however, was part of a wider display of emerging talent from across India. West Bengal’s Mehebubul Ahamed won silver in the men’s 100m with 10.74 seconds, while Delhi’s Pushpendar Kumar took bronze in 10.81 seconds.

Field events also highlighted the depth of youth athletics. Haryana’s Oshin won the women’s discus throw with 45.98 metres. Uttar Pradesh’s Dimpy Saini finished second with 43.22m, while Haryana’s Mansi Dangi secured bronze at 43.09m.

The championship provides an important platform for athletes across sprints, middle-distance races, hurdles, race walks, jumps, throws, heptathlon and medley relays. Among the early prospects, Samraj and Mrithika stand out, while Ahamed, Suchithra, Kulkarni, Oshin, Saini and Dangi have also announced themselves as names to follow.

With the Under-18 championships continuing until September 3, more breakthroughs could emerge. For Indian athletics, the early results point to a promising pipeline, with young competitors showing the speed, competitiveness and consistency needed to progress towards higher-level national and international competition in coming seasons.