Bhubaneswar: The 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, one of India’s most important domestic athletics competitions, is underway at the iconic Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Organized by the Odisha Athletics Association under the aegis of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), the five-day championship runs from June 24 to June 28 and serves as a crucial qualification event for upcoming international competitions, including the Asian Games.
Bringing together the country’s top track-and-field athletes, the championship features nearly 78 events across sprints, middle- and long-distance races, jumps, throws, race walks, and combined events. With national pride and international qualification standards on the line, athletes have delivered several remarkable performances and record-breaking achievements.
Among the standout stars of the competition is Andhra Pradesh hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, who secured victory in the women’s 100m hurdles with a time of 12.99 seconds. The performance not only earned her the gold medal but also comfortably met the Asian Games qualification standard. Her achievement is particularly significant as it marks a strong comeback following ACL surgery, reaffirming her status as one of India’s premier track athletes.
Madhya Pradesh’s Dev Meena produced another headline-making performance by setting a new national record in the men’s pole vault. Clearing 5.46 metres, Meena surpassed the previous benchmark and booked his place for the Asian Games with a historic effort.
The championships also witnessed a breakthrough moment for Uttar Pradesh’s 18-year-old Anushka Yadav. The young athlete shattered the women’s hammer throw national record with a throw of 67.02 metres, eclipsing the previous record of 65.25 metres. Her outstanding performance also secured qualification for the Asian Games and highlighted the emergence of a promising new talent in Indian athletics.
In the women’s pole vault, Karnataka’s Sindhushree G etched her name into the record books by clearing 4.25 metres to establish a new national record. Tamil Nadu’s Asha Ilango also delivered an impressive performance, achieving 13.89 metres in the women’s triple jump and surpassing the Asian Games qualification mark.
Several other athletes produced notable performances across disciplines. Odisha’s Animesh Kujur claimed the men’s 200m title in 20.74 seconds, while Maharashtra’s Harita Bhadra won the women’s 200m crown with a time of 23.14 seconds. Kerala’s Mohammed Afsal P emerged victorious in the men’s 800m event, clocking 1:48.57, whereas Tamil Nadu’s Gowthami Jayaraman secured gold in the women’s 800m with a timing of 2:04.17.
Field events also generated excitement. Chandigarh’s Kirpal Singh captured the men’s discus throw title with a best effort of 57.37 metres, while Haryana’s Manpreet Kaur dominated the women’s shot put competition with a throw of 17.75 metres. Race walk and endurance events witnessed intense competition as athletes chased qualification standards and podium finishes, though some contenders narrowly missed the required benchmarks.
In the team standings, Tamil Nadu has emerged as the leading state, showcasing remarkable depth across multiple disciplines. Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Odisha, and Kerala have also enjoyed strong performances, collecting medals in sprints, jumps, throws, and distance events. Tamil Nadu’s athletes have consistently contributed to the state’s commanding position in the medal tally through a combination of gold, silver, and bronze medal-winning performances.
The championship follows a packed schedule featuring morning and evening sessions. Distance races, race walks, and combined events are generally held during morning sessions, while sprint finals, jumps, and throwing competitions dominate the evening programme. Fans across the country have been able to follow the action through live broadcasts and highlights streamed on the Athletics Federation of India’s digital platforms.
With several national records already broken and numerous athletes achieving international qualification standards, the 2026 edition of the National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships has underlined the growing strength and depth of Indian athletics. As the competition heads toward its conclusion on June 28, attention remains focused on further record-breaking performances and the final selection of athletes who will represent India on the international stage in the months ahead.
