Asian Athletics Championship 2025: James Hillier Sees Indian Sprinting 'Hitting a Sweet Spot'

With the 2025 Asian Athletics Championship starting in Gumi, Republic of Korea on May 27, Indian athletics has never looked more promising - especially in the men's sprinting circuit.

India's recent sprinting surge, comprising talented and rising athletes like Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, Amlan Borgohain and Gurindervir Singh, have shown a lot of potential and their recent exploits at home make this an exciting moment in Indian track and field history.

In an exclusive interview with myKhel, James Hillier, Athletics Director at the Reliance Foundation, before departing for South Korea, spoke passionately about the team's preparations, recent record-breaking performances, and the changing sprinting landscape in India. Also Read: Asian Athletics 2025: Top Indian Medal Contenders

'A Bit of a Revolution in Indian Sprinting'

Reflecting on the evolution of India's sprinting fortunes, the coach from the UK called it a moment many years in the making. "It's not something that's happened overnight," Hillier said. "There's a bit of a revolution happening in sprints, and I think we're hitting a sweet spot in terms of the quality of athletes we've got - not just in Reliance, but across the country."

That revolution is led by standout performers like Animesh Kujur, who recently clocked a blistering 20.40 seconds in the men's 200m at the Senior Federation Cup, setting a new national record and leading the Asian charts in 2025. Animesh is also a vital member of the 4x100m relay team, which includes Manikanta Hoblidhar, Amlan Borgohain, and Gurindervir Singh - a quartet that shattered the national record with a time of 38.69 seconds earlier this year.

"It's been a really good start to the year," Hillier said. "These are the results of years of hard work. This isn't overnight success-this is a sprint revolution in India."

While Hillier praised the overall quality of Indian sprinters, he was especially delighted with the team aspect of the relay record. "It's lovely because that was all four guys -Animesh, Manikanta [Hoblidhar], Amlan [Borgohain], and Guri [Gurindervir Singh] -training together and achieving something symbolic." However, Animesh, who is also a Reliance athlete, trains in Bhubaneswar.

Hillier expressed the satisfaction of seeing all four sprinters achieving collective success. "The relay was really satisfying. That was all four guys who trained together, and getting that record as a team was really lovely. It shows it's not just one person doing it-it's four people doing it," he added further.

The Indian relay team will now be representing the nation at the Asian Championship relay event for the first time in several years, and expectations are high for a podium finish.

Building a Pack to Run with the Best

Hillier's vision was clear from the outset: bring together India's best young sprinters, let them train as a unit, and watch them collectively rise. While Animesh, Amlan and Manikanta have been with Reliance for some time, Gurvinder - who is employed with the Services - was brought into the fold last year following his gold medal finish in 100m at the Inter-State Athletics Championship in Panchkula.

"When I started, I brought Guri in alongside the others. Training as a pack improves everyone. Guri broke the national record, Manikanta has improved, and so have Amlan and Animesh."

What stands out in this group is the diversity of their strengths - and how those variations help each of them grow. "They're all different athletes with different strengths and weaknesses. But to be world-class, even your weaknesses need to be good enough not to hold you back. I tell them to use each other's strengths to fix their own weaknesses."

Animesh Kujur Ready to Shine On International Stage

Much of the spotlight is rightly on Animesh Kujur. The 21-year-old not only leads Asia in the 200m but also anchors India's medal hopes in the men's 4x100m relay. Hillier commended Kujur's consistency, his mental resilience, and his fearless approach.

"He's not scared of anybody. He runs his own race and keeps things simple," Hillier noted. "He's been very consistent this year - whether it's practice or a big meet, he delivers."

When asked about Kujur's well-known struggles with the start - particularly in the 100m - Hillier was philosophical and proactive. "His coach Martin Owens has worked really hard on it. We've all had conversations around it. I don't view it as a problem but as an opportunity to be better. He needs to believe he's a world-class starter. Once the mindset shifts, the performance follows."

The Elusive Sub-10 Dream - A Matter of Process, Not Hype

India has never produced a sub-10-second 100m sprinter. But that could change soon, according to Hillier-though he tempers the excitement with realism. "It's not about chasing 10 seconds; it's about chasing improvement. We need more guys running 10.1s first. That's the next stage," he explained.

Hillier believes if multiple Indian athletes start consistently hitting 10.1s, the sub-10 barrier could eventually fall - but only with the right process. "We focus on the puzzle: what's the athlete doing in the gym, their technical profile, top speed... we're putting all the pieces together. And yes, we need mondo tracks in India too. Fast surfaces matter," he opines.

Expectations from Gumi 2025

This Asian Championships will be the first time in years that India sends a men's 4x100m relay team with legitimate medal hopes. Hillier is optimistic, but not overconfident. "We're delighted just to be in this position. Now we want to come back with a medal - fingers crossed," he stated.

The Reliance Foundation Effect

While Indian athletics as a whole has seen a resurgence, Reliance Foundation's role has been pivotal. From investing in world-class training infrastructure to recruiting global coaching talent, their systematic approach is paying dividends.

"The Foundation has created an environment where athletes can grow. It's taken time, but now we're seeing the results," Hillier said.

As India enters a crucial cycle ahead of the 2026 Asian Games and beyond, voices like Hillier's offer not just insight, but hope. With sprinting now a genuine strength for Indian athletics, the start line in Gumi could be the gateway to a golden era.