RANCHI, India (Diya TV) — Indian sprinting entered a new era this week after Gurindervir Singh became the fastest man in the country’s history. The 25-year-old sprinter clocked a stunning 10.09 seconds in the men’s 100-meter final at the 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition in Ranchi, breaking a major barrier in Indian athletics.
The historic run made Gurindervir the first Indian athlete to finish the 100m race in under 10.10 seconds. His achievement quickly sparked celebrations across the country. Bollywood superstar Akshay Kumar also praised the athlete for challenging long-held beliefs about Indian sprinters. Kumar shared his reaction on X soon after the race. The actor said he felt “seriously blown away” after reading about Gurindervir’s record-breaking performance.
“For years and years, we saw foreign athletes win 100m races and break records,” Kumar wrote. “Tab sab kehte the Indians se nahi hoga. Ab sab keh rahe hain yeh toh hona hi thaa.”
The actor added that he felt proud of the young sprinter, especially because Gurindervir serves in the Indian Navy.
“So proud of you, young man. Even prouder that you are from our armed forces. Punjabiyan di shaan vakhri,” Kumar wrote.
Gurindervir’s performance has become one of the biggest talking points in Indian athletics. Experts and fans have praised the sprinter for rewriting the national record books and proving that Indian athletes can compete in elite sprinting events. The Punjab-born athlete also opened up about the challenges he faced early in his career. Gurindervir said many coaches discouraged him from pursuing the 100m race when he started training at age 13.
“They told me there’s no future in the 100m for us,” Gurindervir said after the race. “They said Indians didn’t have the specific body type or genetics for it and that I should switch to the 400m instead.”
The sprinter refused to give up on his dream. He said he wanted to prove that Indian athletes could succeed in short-distance sprinting.
“But I wanted to prove them wrong,” he said. “I wanted to prove Indian genes are incredibly strong.”
His comments have resonated with sports fans across India. Many people viewed his achievement as a breakthrough moment for Indian track and field. India has traditionally performed better in endurance events, wrestling, shooting, and cricket. Sprinting success at the global level has remained rare. For decades, athletes and coaches believed Indian runners lacked the physical traits needed for world-class sprinting.
Gurindervir’s record-breaking run has now challenged those assumptions.
The athlete’s background has also drawn comparisons to legendary Indian sprinter Milkha Singh, famously known as the “Flying Sikh.” Milkha Singh also discovered his sprinting talent while serving in the military. Like Milkha Singh, Gurindervir balances his sporting career with military duties. He currently serves as a Petty Officer in the Indian Navy while continuing to compete at the national level.
Sports analysts say the new record could inspire a generation of young Indian athletes to take sprinting more seriously. Coaches also believe the achievement will encourage better investment in track and field programs across the country. The timing of 10.09 seconds places Gurindervir among Asia’s fastest sprinters this season. Fans now hope he can carry his form into international competitions and possibly qualify for major global events in the coming years.
Social media users flooded platforms with congratulatory messages after the race. Several athletes, celebrities, and sports officials praised Gurindervir for creating history and inspiring young runners. Akshay Kumar’s endorsement further boosted national attention around the achievement. The actor often supports Indian athletes and military personnel through his public appearances and social media posts.
For Gurindervir, however, the victory represents more than just a record. It marks the result of years of hard work, discipline, and belief in himself despite constant doubts from others. His journey from a young athlete facing criticism to becoming India’s fastest man has now become a symbol of determination and confidence. With his historic sprint in Ranchi, Gurindervir Singh has not only rewritten Indian athletics history but also changed the conversation around Indian sprinting forever.
