Federation Cup 2025: Animesh Kujur's 200m National Record Show Dominates Golden Day in Kochi

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Federation Cup 2025: Over the last three days of the Federation Cup in Kochi, only one national record had been broken-by Dev Meena in the pole vault. But 24th April has now been etched in golden letters in the history of Indian athletics. Today was nothing short of historic.

First, national record holder Praveen Chithravel matched his own personal best in the men's triple jump final. With a stunning leap of 17.37m, he equalled the national record he had set in 2023.

Then came the moment Indian athletics had been waiting for. "Mr. Consistent" Animesh Kujur finally shattered the men's 200m national record, blazing through the final in 20.40 seconds-breaking Amlan Borgohain's previous mark of 20.52s set in 2022.

THERE'S NO STOPPING ANIMESH KUJUR

There's no doubt that Animesh Kujur has been one of the most consistent athletes over the past year. In the last 18 months, the Odisha sprinter has topped the podium in eight 200m races. Today, he didn't just win another gold he shattered the national record and dipped below the Asian Athletics Championships qualifying mark of 20.53s.

Kujur also soared to the top of the Asian season's leaderboard. The 21-year-old had been relentlessly chasing this barrier since last season, stringing together a series of sub-21s and finally delivered, in style. It was a blazing final, with four of the seven finalists clocking sub-21 times. Though he narrowly missed the World Championships qualification mark of 20.16s, Kujur's performance was a statement: India's sprint scene is on fire.

PRAVEEN CHITHRAVEL FINALLY FINDS HIS RHYTHM

Praveen Chithravel delivered a sensational performance in the men's triple jump final at the Federation Cup in Kochi, leaping 17.37m to equal his own national record set in 2023. In doing so, he also shattered the meet record of 16.99m, previously held by Eldhose Paul.

This record-equalling jump not only stamped his authority at the national level but also secured him a berth at the World Championships in Tokyo. With this, he becomes the fourth Indian to qualify for the event after Neeraj Chopra, Avinash Sable, and Gulveer Singh.

Just a year ago, Praveen struggled to find consistency beyond the 17m mark, crossing it only once with a 17.12m effort at IGP 1 in Bengaluru. But the 2025 season has seen a remarkable turnaround. He opened the year with a 17.13m jump at the Indian Open Jumps Competition and has now soared to 17.37m. That's already two 17m+ efforts this season more than he managed in all of 2024.

SHAILI SINGH QUALFIES FOR ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

It was a stellar day for star long jumper Shaili Singh, as she soared to gold in the women's long jump final with a season-best leap of 6.64m. In doing so, she not only qualified for the Asian Championships by surpassing the standard of 6.41m, but also delivered a historic moment-breaking the 23-year-old meet record of 6.59m set by the legendary Anju Bobby George in 2002.

After missing out on a Paris Olympics berth last year, Shaili has opened her 2025 season in style. She first clinched gold at the Indian Open Athletics Meet in Chennai with a 6.45m jump, and now follows it up with another gold at the Federation Cup this time beating Asian Games medalist Ancy Sojan. A silver medalist at the previous Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, Shaili is now aiming higher, with her sights firmly set on continental glory.

TEJASWIN SHANKAR, TWINKLE AND POOJA BOOK THEIR BERTHS FOR THE ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS

National record holder Tejaswin Shankar has qualified for the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships after winning the decathlon with a total of 7603 points. He recorded a personal best of 4:35.96 in the 1500m, which earned him 706 points. With this performance, he comfortably surpassed the AFI's qualification standard of 7527 points. A brilliant effort by the Commonwealth Games medalist in the humid conditions of Kochi, marking his first competition of 2025.

Twinkle Chaudhary delivered a stunning run in the women's 800m final, clocking 2:00.71 minutes (Meet Record) to win the gold medal. She improved her personal best by more than 2 seconds and secured her spot at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships.

Rising star Pooja Singh also earned her ticket to the Asian Championships, clearing 1.84m in the women's high jump final comfortably above the qualifying mark of 1.83m.