Asian Games: Animesh Kujur, Gurindervir Singh disappoint, 400m runners impress

ByTech Word News

India’s athletics campaign at the Asian Games on 25 September got off to a disappointing start in the men’s 100m as Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur failed to qualify for the final despite advancing from their opening heats. Both the Indian sprinters failed to repeat their earlier performances in the semi-finals.

Gurindervir, India’s national 100m record holder, clocked 10.32 seconds in the semi-finals to finish 11th overall. Animesh, meanwhile, clocked 10.38 seconds in the third semi-final to finish 18th overall. Both were eliminated, ending India’s challenge in the men’s blue-ribbon sprint.

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However, the day saw plenty of action across the athletics events, with several Indian athletes advancing to the finals and others competing for medals. Courtesy: Asian Games

SEPTEMBER GULVER, MANPREET AND BARANICA

Gulveer Singh produced India’s biggest performance in the men’s 10,000m to clinch the silver medal with a time of 28:29.38. Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew won gold in 28:27.51 while Bahrain’s Albert Kiptoo claimed bronze. Gulveer improved on the bronze he won in the same event at the Hangzhou Asian Games.

In the women’s shot put, Manpreet Kaur won bronze with a best throw of 17.17m. China’s Song Jiayuan won gold with 19.40m, while compatriot Linru Zhang took silver with 18.14m. India’s Krishna Jayasankar Menon finished fifth with a best of 16.57m.

Baranica Elangovan added another bronze in the women’s pole vault after clearing 4.15m. Her performance was historic, making her India’s first Asian Games medalist. Kazakhstan’s Polina Ivanova also cleared 4.15 m and shared the bronze.

The three medals provided a strong boost to India’s athletics campaign after an early disappointment in the men’s 100m.

BARANICA ELANGOVAN WITH HISTORY!

Baranica Elangovan clears 4.15m to win BRONZE at the Asian Games – becoming India’s first ever Asian Games pole vault medalist, both men’s and women’s.

Baranica and Polina Ivanova both cleared 4.15m but failed at 4.25m and won them — nnis Sports|Asian GamesAthletics (@nnis_sports) September 25, 2026

VISHAL, KIRAN AND PRACHI ADVANCE

There was plenty of action outside of the medal events. Vishal TK finished first in his men’s 400m heat to qualify for the final, keeping India’s hopes alive for one round.

The women’s 400m also produced encouraging results, with Kiran finishing first in her heat and Prachi placing third in her heat to qualify for the finals, scheduled for September 26.

The women’s heptathlon closed the 800m where Pooja finished sixth and Anamika Aneesh eighth. Earlier, Anamika finished sixth and Pooja 10th in the long jump, making them seventh and ninth overall.

In the men’s hammer throw, Damneet Singh finished ninth, Praveen Kumar finished 11th.

For India, September 25 brought contrasting results in athletics. While Gurindervir and Animesh’s 100m outing was a failure, three medals and several athletes qualifying for the finals ensured the contingent had much to celebrate.

ASIAN GAMES ATHLETIC RESULTS SEPTEMBER 25

  • Gulveer Singh wins silver in men’s 10,000m.
  • Manpreet Kaur wins bronze in women’s shot put; Krishna Jayasankar Menon finishes fifth.
  • Baranica Elangovan wins bronze in women’s pole vault.
  • Vishal TK finishes first in the 2 men’s 400 m and qualifies for the final.
  • Pooja and Anamika finished sixth and eighth in the women’s 800m heptathlon.
  • Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur are out of contention for the men’s 100m final.
  • Damneet Singh and Praveen Kumar finished ninth and eleventh in the men’s hammer throw.
  • Anamika Aneesh finished sixth and Pooja 10th in the women’s heptathlon long jump; They remain seventh and ninth overall.
  • Kiran completes the women’s 400m heat 2 and qualifies for the final which is scheduled for tomorrow.
  • Prachi finishes third in the women’s 400m and qualifies for the final.

– The end