Gulveer Singh, Sanjivani Jadhav All Set For High-Profile Showdown At Kolkata 25K

National 10,000m and 5,000m record holder Gulveer Singh, along with defending women’s champion Sanjivani Jadhav, will compete for top honours in the Indian elite field at the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata

on December 21.

Gulveer, the country’s fastest long-distance runner and the first Indian to break the 13-minute barrier in the 5000m, will be the highlight of the 10th edition of the meet.

The event boasts a total prize purse of USD 142,214, with equal prize money for men and women.

The top three Indian elites will earn Rs 3 lakh, Rs 2.5 lakh and Rs 2 lakh, respectively, along with an event record bonus of Rs 1 lakh.

The men’s field also features multiple-time national champion and 2023 Tata Steel World gold medallist Sawan Barwal.

Reigning national 5000m and 10,000m champion Abhishek Pal, winner of the TCS World 10K Bengaluru 2025 and the 2022 Tata Steel World 25K Indian elite title, will also be in contention.

Adding depth to the field are rising Maharashtra star Kiran Matre, who has won national titles and set event records across major 10K and half-marathon races, and Gaurav Mathur, a two-time Tata Steel World 25K podium finisher.

With five in-form athletes who have set national, meet, or event records in the last 18 months, the men’s contest promises to be highly competitive.

Sanjivani, a two-time winner (2022, 2024), has dominated domestic long-distance running and consistently achieved podium finishes across Asia.

“With the Asian Games around the corner, I am looking forward to clocking a good time here,” Sanjivani said.

Her key challengers include Seema, the Indian elite winner at the 2025 Delhi Half Marathon and South Asian Championships silver medallist.

Middle-distance star Lili Das, who has transitioned smoothly to road racing with titles in Delhi and a personal best at last year’s Tata Steel World 25K, has also confirmed her entry.

Also in contention is Nirmaben Thakor, the Indian elite winner at the 2025 Tata Mumbai Marathon.

(With PTI Inputs)