‘That’s The Art of Sprinting’: How Animesh Kujur Mastered India’s Fast Lane
Animesh Kujur’s journey from a raw talent who struggled to squat without toppling over to becoming India’s national record-holder is a story of individual brilliance nurtured by structured training and guidance.
At just 22, the Chhattisgarh sprinter has broken barriers that seemed insurmountable merely two years ago. Clocking personal bests of 10.18 seconds in the 100m and 20.32 seconds in the 200m—both national records set in 2025—Animesh has emerged as the new face of Indian sprinting. His recent gold at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet in Bhubaneswar, India’s first time hosting such an event, marked yet another milestone in a remarkable season.
The Rise of India’s Sprinting Sensation
“I was more thrilled by the crowd than the win itself because in athletics, such support means a lot,” Animesh recalls of his Continental Tour triumph. “Seeing such a big crowd, and hearing India cheer my name from the blocks—it was a completely different feeling.”
The moment encapsulates Animesh’s journey—a young athlete rising from relative obscurity to what World Athletics vice-president Adille Sumariwalla describes as “the greatest Indian sprinter by far.” His 20.77-second run in humid Bhubaneswar conditions demonstrated not just speed but also the ability to perform under immense home pressure.
The Martin Owens Effect: Crafting a Champion
Animesh’s transformation into a record-breaking sprinter is inseparable from his partnership with Martin Owens, Head Coach at the Reliance Foundation Youth Sport Odisha High Performance Centre (HPC). When Owens first met him, potential was clear, but so were limitations.
“You just look at him physically and think, he has all the right attributes. He’s 6’2”, muscular, a big unit—just lacked mobility and finesse,” Owens explains. “He couldn’t squat without falling over. Like the Tin Man from The Wizard of Oz. But when he moved, he was quick.”
Early sessions were challenging. “The first rep made me question my role as coach. But then I looked at the times—he was fast. That’s the art of sprinting: it looks effortless when you’re doing it right.”
Owens’ focus became technical refinement while preserving Animesh’s natural fluidity—turning raw talent into elite performance.
Swiss Camps: Technical Mastery in the Alps
Animesh’s rapid rise was accelerated by training stints in Switzerland under coach Chris Woolley. The camps addressed technical gaps that were slowing him down.
“I improved by roughly 0.2 to 0.35 seconds,” says Animesh. “The focus was on starts and lower body strength. The coaches tested me with various exercises to improve explosiveness from the blocks.”
Owens adds, “We did extensive coordination and posture work. Every morning at 6, overlooking the Alps, we trained. It was inspiring. Over-speed work, rainy runs, technical drills—it was transformative.”
The impact was immediate. Soon after, Animesh shattered the national 100m record in Greece, clocking 10.18 seconds. “When I crossed the line, I saw 10.80s first. But later, after my coach’s congratulations, I realised I’d broken the record—it was surreal.”
A Season of Milestones
2025 has been a season of consistent growth. From an Asian Championships bronze (20.32s in 200m) to debuting at the Monaco Diamond League—the first Indian sprinter to compete at that level—Animesh gained invaluable exposure to world-class competition.
“The Diamond League taught me a lot about professionalism,” he says. “I observed warm-ups, routines, focus—all of it mattered. I even made global connections, like Bayanda Walaza, the under-20 world champion from South Africa. Social media helped me connect with athletes worldwide.”
Balancing 100m and 200m
Animesh excels in both sprint events, guided by Owens’ philosophy: “100m and 200m complement each other. One makes you a better starter, the other a better finisher.”
“My favourite is 200m, but 100m helps me refine my starts. It’s a side event, 200m is the main focus,” Animesh explains. His systematic approach has paid off: he became the first Indian to run under 10.20s in the 100m while setting a 200m record of 20.32s.
The Reliance Foundation Advantage
Central to Animesh’s success is the holistic support at the Reliance Foundation Youth Sport Odisha HPC.
“When I wasn’t with Reliance, it was just running around. Here, everything is structured—diet, recovery, coaching, surroundings,” he says. “Such a setup is rare in India, especially in Odisha.”
Owens emphasises a holistic approach: “We aim to build well-rounded athletes with good ethics and clean sporting habits. Ultimately, Animesh will grow into a mentor for future athletes.”
Mental Fortitude and Pressure Handling
Despite his youth, Animesh demonstrates composure under pressure. “Records are important, but the ultimate targets are sub-10s in 100m and sub-20s in 200m. Yesterday’s fame doesn’t matter; tomorrow’s goals do.”
Owens adds, “He loves the sport and isn’t overwhelmed. He’s mentally tough.”
Animesh’s journey involved learning to focus on performance over medals. “From 2023 to 2025, I just ran freely. Once I stopped overthinking, medals and records followed naturally.”
A Long, Demanding Season
The 2025 season saw Animesh compete continuously—from Asian Championships to Continental Tour, Monaco Diamond League, and World University Games.
“It’s been a very long season,” Owens notes. “Yet, despite ups and downs, including narrowly missing a medal at the World University Games, the experience built maturity and resilience.”
Global Exposure and Social Media Influence
Interactions with world-class athletes like Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo at Monaco helped normalise elite competition. “They perform with intensity but also enjoy themselves. I learned a lot just observing their routines and mental approach.”
Looking Ahead: Tokyo and the Olympics
With the World Championships in Tokyo approaching, Animesh is targeting qualification through rankings. “The European climate suits me better than India’s humidity, so I feel confident,” he says. Owens adds, “No pressure—just experience at this stage.”
Long-term, Animesh aims for the Olympics and to break the 20-second barrier in 200m. Owens has a 5–10 year vision: keeping him healthy and competitive at the elite level.
Clean Sport and Positive Role Models
Both coach and athlete advocate fair play. “We run a clean ship,” Owens says. Frequent testing by NADA and WADA ensures transparency. “Animesh’s story shows young athletes can excel without shortcuts.”
The Road Ahead
As Animesh prepares for World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, the formula for success remains clear: talent, discipline, and structured support.
“My focus is simple—do my best in every competition,” he says. And so far, that philosophy has propelled him to the pinnacle of Indian athletics.
