By Admin 
Manikanta Hoblidhar bettered his two-year-old meet record as he clocked India’s second-fastest time, 10.19, on his way to win the men’s 100m title in the National Open athletics championships at the Birsa Munda Stadium, Morabadi, here on Sunday.
On a rain-affected day, former National record holder Manikanta, who equalled the meet record (10.23, achieved in Bengaluru) in the semifinals, performed with consistency and confidence to thwart the challenge from second-placed Pranav Gurav (10.31) and third-positioned Harsh Raut (10.38) in a quality field. The 24-year-old was 0.01 off Animesh Kujur’s National record.
“I was aiming for 10.10, but the wet track slowed down my pace. My target is to get an individual medal at the 2026 Asian Games,” said Manikanta, whose previous personal best was 10.22.
Two promising athletes, high jumper Gobika K. and sprinter Abinaya Rajarajan, suffered serious-looking injuries.
High jumper Gobika in pain after suffering a knee injury in the National Open athletics meet in Ranchi on Sunday, September 28, 2025.
| Photo Credit:
AFI Media
After securing the gold medal with 1.79m, Gobika injured her right knee while attempting to improve upon her performance. She was stretchered off while screaming in excruciating pain.
Abinaya, who already had a lung issue, managed to finish third (11.67) in the women’s 100m behind Sneha S.S. (11.62) and Sudeshna Shivankar (11.64). After the race, Abinaya struggled with a groin issue and was carried off the track in severe pain.
Olympian quarter-miler Rajesh Ramesh beat Santhosh T. with 80m to go and clocked his season best 45.75 to take the gold.
In the absence of Tejas Shirse, Manav R. timed 13.97 to defend his gold medal in the men’s 110m hurdles.
The results: Finals (winners only): Men: 100m: Manikanta Hoblidhar (SSCB) 10.19 (NMR, Old 10.23, Manikanta, 2023); 400m: Rajesh Ramesh (Rlys) 45.75; 1500m: Sunil Dawar (SSCB) 3:46.27; 110m hurdles: Manav R. (Rlys) 13.97; Discus: Kirpal Singh (ONGC) 56.33m; Decathlon: Usaid (SSCB) 7212.
Women: 100m: Sneha S.S. (Kar) 11.62; 400m: Neeru Pathak (UP) 52.85; 1500m: Lili Das (Rlys) 4:15.59; 100m hurdles: Nandhini K. (TN) 13.57; High jump: Gobika K. (TN) 1.79m; Shot put: Yogita (Rlys) 16.52m; 4x400m mixed relay: Uttar Pradesh (Satish Kumar, Meenu Sahu, Nitin Kumar, Neeru Pathak) 3:23.62.