India’s fastest men at the Asian Games from 1951 to date.
The Asian Games started in India in 1951 with 11 countries and have since grown into a full-fledged competition with 45 nations. As the 100 m heats unfolded today, our sprinters’ men’s heats began; it is a good time to review our fastest men, past and present.
In 1951, our indian men got off to a golden start, with Lavy Pinto claiming the gold. In 1954, Manila, India’s Gabriel won a bronze medal, and the last time Indian men won a medal in the 100 m was in 1978, when R. Gnanasekharan, the smooth runner from Tamil Nadu, claimed a silver.
Two days ago this year raised hopes of a medal when Gurvindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur broke the record three times, from 10.18 to 10.17 and then 10.15 in semis, followed by 10.09.
Now, as heats unfolded today at the Asian Games, both ran 10.30+, their norm in every race except Ranchi. From today’s form of other runners, our 100 m medal wait will probably continue till the 2030 Asian Games
