By the time the men\u2019s 100m final began at the Federation Cup in Ranchi on May 23, 2026, India\u2019s national record had already changed hands twice within that tournament \u2014 a first in Indian sprinting. A day earlier,\u00a0Gurindervir\u00a0Singh had lowered the national record to 10.17 seconds in the first semifinals. Minutes later,\u00a0Animesh\u00a0Kujur\u00a0reclaimed it with 10.15 seconds in the second semi-final.\u00a0Gurindervir\u00a0seized the opportunity the final offered. His\u00a0time of 10.09 seconds not only restored the record to his name but also made him the first Indian to break the 10.1-second barrier<\/a>.<\/p>\n The achievement marked the latest chapter in a rivalry that is transforming Indian sprinting.\u00a0Anil\u00a0Kumar\u2019s national record of 10.21 seconds had remained unbeaten since 2000. By clocking 10.18 seconds,\u00a0Animesh\u00a0not only broke that in July 2025, but became the first Indian to cross the 10.2-second barrier.<\/p>\n While it took 25 years for Indian men\u2019s sprinting to breach the 10.2-second barrier, it has seen a dramatic leap forward since then. With\u00a0Gurindervir\u2019s\u00a010.09 seconds, followed by\u00a0Animesh\u2019s\u00a010.15 and 10.18 seconds, and\u00a0Manikanta\u00a0Hoblidhar\u2019s\u00a010.19 seconds, four of the five fastest 100m sprints by Indian men have been recorded in the last two seasons.<\/p>\n But where does India\u2019s fastest-ever sprinter stand in the global arena?<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/th-i.thgim.com\/public\/incoming\/8muqcy\/article71026653.ece\/alternates\/SQUARE_80\/2150_23_5_2026_20_22_13_1_ATHLETICS_23052026_16.JPG\")