Dubai, May 10 (Sports Desk)
Indian middle-distance runner Mohammed Afsal broke the men’s 800m national record at the UAE Athletics Grand Prix 2025, held at the Dubai Police Club Stadium, clocking an impressive 1:45.61 to finish second. The 29-year-old’s performance eclipsed Jinson Johnson’s previous record of 1:45.65, set in 2018, by 0.04 seconds. India also celebrated victories in the men’s 200m and 4x100m relay, with Animesh Kujur leading the charge, while Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan secured podium finishes in the women’s long jump.
Men’s 800m: Afsal’s Record-Breaking Run
Mohammed Afsal delivered a stellar performance in a competitive 10-man 800m field, finishing just behind Kenya’s Nicholas Kiplagat (1:45.38). South Africa’s Christopher Swart took third with 1:45.84. Afsal’s time of 1:45.61, pending ratification by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), marked a significant improvement over his silver-medal-winning 1:48.43 at the 2023 Asian Games. The world record in the event, 1:40.91, remains with Kenya’s David Rudisha from the 2012 London Olympics.
Men’s 200m and 4x100m Relay: Kujur Shines
Animesh Kujur, fresh off breaking the men’s 200m national record (20.40s) at last month’s Federation Cup in Kochi, clinched the 200m title in Dubai with a time of 20.45s, setting a new meet record. His run was the fastest by an Indian in the 200m on foreign soil, edging out Chad’s Mahamat Goubaye Youssouf (20.93s) and UAE’s Emmanuel Bamidele (20.97s).
Kujur also anchored India’s men’s 4x100m relay team to gold, alongside Gurindervir Singh, Manikanta Hoblidar, and Amlan Borgohain. The quartet clocked 38.76s, narrowly missing their own national record of 38.69s set at the National Open Relay Carnival in Chandigarh last month.
Long Jump: Mixed Fortunes for India
In the men’s long jump, David Solomon soared to first place with a personal best of 7.78m, surpassing his previous mark by 0.67m. Oman’s Al Yerabi (7.61m) and Croatia’s Marko Ceko (7.60m) rounded out the podium.
In the women’s long jump, Shaili Singh, a silver medallist at the Asian Championships, secured second place with a 6.44m leap, trailing Egypt’s Esraa Owis (6.67m). Ancy Sojan, a 2023 Asian Games silver medallist, took third with a 6.33m jump.
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Other Events
- Men’s 100m: National record holder Gurindervir Singh finished eighth with a time of 10.41s, unable to replicate his earlier form.
- Men’s 400m: Mohamed Sinan claimed silver with a 46.67s run, finishing behind UAE’s Suleiman Abdirahman (45.66s).
- Women’s Triple Jump: Sawant Poorva earned bronze with a 13.09m effort.
Context and Impact
The UAE Athletics Grand Prix 2025 served as a key platform for Indian athletes to fine-tune their preparations for upcoming global events, including the 2025 World Athletics Championships. Afsal’s record-breaking 800m run underscored his growing stature in middle-distance running, while Kujur’s dominance in the 200m and relay events highlighted India’s sprinting prowess. The performances of Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan in the long jump further bolstered India’s prospects in field events.
The Dubai Police Club Stadium offered ideal conditions, with clear weather and a fast track, enabling several personal and meet records. India’s haul of three golds (200m, 4x100m relay, men’s long jump), one silver (women’s long jump), and two bronzes (women’s triple jump, men’s 400m) reflected a strong outing, despite Afsal’s near-miss for the 800m title.
Key Performances
- Mohammed Afsal: 1:45.61 in 800m, new national record, second place.
- Animesh Kujur: 20.45s in 200m (meet record, gold) and part of the 4x100m relay team (38.76s, gold).
- David Solomon: 7.78m in men’s long jump, personal best, gold.
- Shaili Singh: 6.44m in women’s long jump, silver.
- Ancy Sojan: 6.33m in women’s long jump, bronze.
Conclusion
Mohammed Afsal’s national record in the 800m was the highlight of India’s impressive showing at the UAE Athletics Grand Prix 2025, complemented by Animesh Kujur’s sprinting heroics and strong field event performances. The meet showcased India’s depth and talent, setting a positive tone for their international campaign in 2025.
