National Youth Championships: Tamil Nadu’s sprinters shine

Tamil Nadu sprinters shone on the opening day of the National Youth Athletics Championships as they won the 100m gold in both the men’s and women’s sections on Tuesday (September 1, 2026).

Promising sprinter Neil Samraj R of Tamil Nadu dominated the men’s 100m dash. His winning time of 10.46 seconds was better than the previous youth national record of 10.63 seconds set by Anshu Rajak in 2023 in Coimbatore.

Tamil Nadu’s T Mrithika claimed the women’s 100m gold medal, clocking 11.78 seconds, bettering the previous meet record of 11.80 seconds set by Dutee Chand in 2012 in Bengaluru.

Mrithika was the only sprinter in the final to break the 12-second barrier.

Suchithra S of Karnataka edged past Saawari Kulkarni (Maharashtra) to win the silver with a time of 12.03 seconds. Saawari clocked 12.09 seconds for the bronze.

Results: Men: 100m: Neil Samraj R (Tamil Nadu) 10.46 seconds; Mehebubul Ahamed (West Bengal) 10.74 seconds; Pushpendar Kumar (Delhi) 10.81 seconds.

Women: 100m: T Mrithika (Tamil Nadu) 11.78 seconds; Suchithra S (Karnataka) 12.03 seconds, Saawari Kulkarni (Maharashtra) 12.09 seconds.

Discus throw: Oshin (Haryana) 45.98m, Dimpy Saini (Uttar Pradesh) 43.22m, Mansi Dangi (Haryana) 43.09m.