Animesh Kujur Clocks 10.14s, Sets Fastest 100m by an Indian on Foreign Soil

Indian sprint star Animesh Kujur continued his remarkable rise on the international stage by clocking a personal best of 10.14 seconds in the men's 100m final at the PUMA Fast Arms Fast Legs 2026 meet in Wetzlar, Germany.

The performance not only earned him a second-place finish but also became the fastest 100m ever recorded by an Indian on foreign soil, further strengthening his reputation as one of the country's brightest athletics prospects.

Animesh Kujur Sets New Personal Best

Competing at the Enwag-Stadion in Wetzlar, Kujur first showcased his form by winning his qualifying heat in 10.19 seconds.

He returned even stronger in the final, shaving one-hundredth of a second off his previous personal best of 10.15 seconds to finish with an impressive 10.14 seconds.

The timing now stands as the second-fastest 100m ever run by an Indian, behind only Gurindervir Singh's national-best 10.09 seconds.

Second Fastest Indian Ever

Kujur's latest achievement adds another milestone to an already impressive sprinting career.

Although he is India's national record holder in the 200 metres, the Odisha sprinter has consistently improved in the shorter sprint over the past year.

He now owns three of the five fastest 100m timings ever recorded by an Indian.

India's All-Time Fastest Men's 100m Performances

Strong Season Continues

Earlier this year, Kujur secured qualification for the Asian Games in the men's 200m after clocking 20.74 seconds at the Inter-State National Athletics Championships.

The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) qualification standard was 20.88 seconds, allowing him to comfortably book his place.

Despite achieving the target, Kujur admitted he was focused more on qualifying than chasing faster timings.

His personal best in the event remains the national record of 20.32 seconds, set in May 2025.

Coach Focused on Long-Term Progress

Following the Inter-State Championships, Kujur's coach Martin Owens explained that fatigue from international competition influenced their approach.

Having recently competed at the Asian Relay Championships, the team prioritised securing qualification rather than pushing for record-breaking performances.

The strategy appears to be paying off, with Kujur now producing one of the finest sprint performances by an Indian overseas.

Competition Driving His Improvement

Interestingly, Kujur believes stronger domestic competition in the 100m has helped him improve more rapidly than in his preferred 200m event.

According to the sprinter, athletes like Gurindervir Singh, Manikanta and Pranav regularly push him to perform at a higher level in the shorter distance.

By comparison, he feels the 200m lacks similar competition in India, making it harder to consistently produce personal-best performances despite considering it his favourite event.

Eyes on the Asian Games

With another milestone achieved, Kujur's focus now shifts towards preparing for the upcoming Asian Games.

His consistent improvement in both the 100m and 200m has established him as one of India's leading medal hopes in sprint events, while his latest 10.14-second run signals that even faster performances could be on the horizon.

Featured Snippet

Indian sprinter Animesh Kujur clocked a personal best of 10.14 seconds in the men's 100m at the PUMA Fast Arms Fast Legs 2026 meet in Germany. The performance is the fastest 100m ever run by an Indian on foreign soil and the second-fastest time in Indian history.

Key Highlights

• Animesh Kujur clocked a personal best of 10.14 seconds.
• He finished second at the PUMA Fast Arms Fast Legs meet in Germany.
• The timing is the fastest 100m by an Indian on foreign soil.
• Kujur now owns three of India's five fastest 100m performances.
• He remains India's national record holder in the 200m.
• The Odisha sprinter has already qualified for the Asian Games.

Conclusion

Animesh Kujur's record-setting 10.14-second sprint is another significant step in the evolution of Indian athletics. With personal bests continuing to fall and major international events ahead, the young sprinter is rapidly establishing himself among Asia's elite and giving Indian athletics fresh optimism for future global success.

FAQs

1. What time did Animesh Kujur run in Germany?

He clocked a personal best of 10.14 seconds in the men's 100m final.

2. Is 10.14s an Indian national record?

No. The Indian national record is 10.09 seconds, held by Gurindervir Singh.

3. Why is Animesh Kujur's run historic?

It is the fastest 100m ever recorded by an Indian on foreign soil.

4. Which event is Animesh Kujur's preferred discipline?

Although he has excelled in the 100m, Kujur considers the 200m his favourite event.

5. Has Animesh Kujur qualified for the Asian Games?

Yes. He achieved the qualification standard in the men's 200m at the Inter-State National Athletics Championships.

6. Where was the race held?

The event took place at Enwag-Stadion in Wetzlar, Germany.