Flying Sikh 2.0: Gurindervir Singh Breaks National 100m Record With Stunning 10.09s Run

Indian athletics witnessed a landmark moment at the Federation Cup 2026. Gurindervir Singh, often dubbed “Flying Sikh 2.0” in homage to Milkha Singh, reclaimed the national 100m record with a blistering 10.09s run. His performance not only rewrote history but also signaled India’s arrival on the global sprinting stage.

The Historic Run

Competing at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi, Gurindervir stormed out of the blocks and maintained explosive speed to finish in 10.09 seconds. This came after a dramatic two-day battle where the record changed hands multiple times between Gurindervir and Animesh Kujur. Gurindervir had first set 10.17s in the semifinals, only for Kujur to reclaim it with 10.15s minutes later. The final, however, belonged to Gurindervir.

Rivalry With Animesh Kujur

The duel between Gurindervir Singh and Animesh Kujur is now the most exciting rivalry in Indian sprinting. Kujur finished second in 10.20s, while Pranav Gurav took third in 10.29s. Their back-and-forth record-breaking performances have elevated the standard of Indian sprinting, pushing both athletes closer to world-class timings.

Training And Journey

Gurindervir, the son of a farmer from Patiala, trains under coach James Hillier at the Reliance Foundation High-Performance Centre. His journey has been marked by resilience, overcoming health setbacks including stomach ulcers. He previously set the national indoor 60m record at 6.60s and had a personal best of 10.20s before this breakthrough.

Implications For Indian Athletics

This achievement places Gurindervir among Asia’s elite sprinters and ensures his qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. His success, alongside records in the decathlon by Tejaswin Shankar and the 400m by Vishal TK, signals a new era for Indian athletics.

Sprinting Highlights

•⁠  ⁠Gurindervir Singh clocked 10.09s at Federation Cup 2026, breaking the 10.10 barrier

•⁠  ⁠Rivalry with Animesh Kujur saw records exchanged twice in semifinals

•⁠  ⁠Gurindervir trains at Reliance Foundation High-Performance Centre under James Hillier

•⁠  ⁠Qualified for Commonwealth Games 2026 with record-breaking run

•⁠  ⁠Marks India’s entry into elite sprinting territory once considered unreachable

Sources: The Statesman, Olympics.com, Track & Field Gazette