Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026: Indian Athletes Ready to Make Their Mark

Indian athletes Manikanta Hoblidhar, Pragyan Prasant Sahu, and Moumita Mondal have expressed strong confidence and excitement ahead of the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026, scheduled to be held from February 6 to 8 in Tianjin, China.

The Indian contingent recently concluded a focused pre-competition training camp at the world-class Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, running from January 23 to February 2, making full use of India's first indoor athletics track as they prepared for the unique demands of indoor competition.

Manikanta Hoblidhar Targets Medal and National Record

One of India's leading outdoor sprinters, Manikanta Hoblidhar, sees the Asian Indoor Championships as a crucial opportunity to test himself on the continental stage. The 60m indoor format, he believes, places a premium on explosive starts and acceleration.

"Indoor is very different from outdoor. There is no wind, and it's 60 metres, not 100. Whoever makes a good start is almost 90 per cent there," Manikanta explained.

Acknowledging that his top speed and acceleration are among his strengths, the sprinter revealed that his primary focus during preparations has been refining his block start-an area he identified as a relative weakness earlier.

"After coming indoors, I have focused a lot on my block start. I have full confidence in my practice. I'm only thinking about myself, making a good start, executing well, and finishing the race," he said.

Manikanta has set himself ambitious goals for the season, aiming not only to win a medal at the Asian Indoor Championships but also to break the national record. Looking ahead, he added that medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games remain his primary targets for the year.

Moumita Mondal Relishing Dual-Event Challenge

For Moumita Mondal, the championships carry special significance as she prepares to compete in two events-the 60m hurdles and long jump-a rare achievement.

"I am very grateful to be selected. For the last two years, I was trying to make it because my short hurdles are better than 100m hurdles," Moumita said.

She noted that training in Bhubaneswar has played a vital role in her readiness, highlighting the importance of India's first indoor track.

"We have never competed indoors before. Bhubaneswar is the first place in India where an indoor track was made, and we got the opportunity to train here. Everything is going well, and now it's time to go there and give our best," she added.

Excited about competing in two disciplines, Moumita described the experience as both challenging and motivating, as she prepares for her biggest indoor test yet.

Pragyan Prasant Sahu Embraces First Senior International Test

For Pragyan Prasant Sahu, the Asian Indoor Championships will mark her first senior international appearance, making the occasion even more special.

"I was not expecting this opportunity so early in the season, but I got selected because of my ranking from last year. I am extremely excited to represent India in the 60m hurdles," she said.

Pragyan revealed that her training has focused on improving the early phase of her race, an area that will be critical in the shorter indoor format.

"Earlier in the 100m hurdles, I was a slow starter and finished strongly. For the 60m hurdles, I'm using this as an opportunity to improve my first six hurdles, which will help me even in outdoor races," she explained.

The transition from outdoor to indoor hurdles was initially challenging, particularly adjusting her stride pattern at the start. However, after a month of technical work, she now feels comfortable and confident.

"This is my first international competition, so it will always be special. I don't think about medals. I just focus on executing what I've trained for and giving my best," Pragyan said.

She also credited Odisha's infrastructure for easing preparation, noting that access to an indoor track is a major advantage compared to many other states.

With solid preparation, growing confidence, and clear goals, India's young athletes will look to make a strong impression at the Asian Indoor Athletics Championships 2026, using the platform as both a test of readiness and a stepping stone toward bigger international milestones.