Cool and stable Ranchi weather is lifting athlete morale ahead of the four-day 29th National Senior Athletics Federation Competition at Birsa Munda Stadium, which doubles as the final domestic qualifier for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games starting July 23 and also serves as a selection trial for the National U23 Athletics squad.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist in men's high jump Tejaswin Shankar and national sprint record-holder Animesh Kujur both say the current Ranchi weather should aid performance, with athletes targeting qualification marks laid down by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and aiming to secure seats on the flight to Glasgow.
Ranchi weather and decathlon test for Tejaswin Shankar
Shankar, 27, is switching focus from his specialist men's high jump to a demanding decathlon
in Ranchi, which is described as the last domestic competition giving aspiring athletes a chance to meet AFI qualification standards for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, and Shankar believes conditions will help sustain effort across ten events.
"I've been camping here for the last two-day to get used to local weather conditions and surprisingly the weather has been good in the morning and evening," Shankar told the media on the eve of the Ranchi competition. "Recovery between each of the ten disciplines in decathlon spread over two-day is important to perform at optimum level. "
Ranchi weather and sprint ambitions of Animesh Kujur
India's talented sprinter Animesh Kujur says the main target during the four-day Ranchi competition will be the 200m, while also lining up for the men's 100m on the opening day, and both races are crucial for selection hopes given the tight Glasgow qualification window.
Kujur, 22, holds the men's 100m and 200m national records and will test form in a competitive field on Friday, saying "I'm mentally and physically prepared to give my best here in Ranchi. The weather conditions are okay in Ranchi and I've to perform exceptionally well to board the flight for Glasgow," and later adding "The field is competitive but I'm ready," reflecting determined preparation.
Ranchi weather, AFI selection rules and Glasgow quotas
The cream of Indian track and field is expected at Ranchi's Birsa Munda Stadium in Morabadi, where AFI must work within Glasgow Commonwealth Games Organising Committee guidelines that cap entries at a maximum of 16 men and 16 women athletes, with Chairman AFI Planning Commission Lalit Bhanot stating, "The AFI selection panel will take a final call on the strength of the Indian team. "
The Ranchi competition also follows a strong record from the Indian contingent at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, where eight medals were won, including men's triple jump gold through Eldhouse Paul and a men's high jump bronze for Shankar, who now says "I'm all set to achieve my goal here in Ranchi," as attention shifts from individual high jump success to an all-round decathlon challenge.
Ranchi weather and U23 trials with detailed day one schedule
Besides Glasgow qualification, the Ranchi meet functions as the final selection trial for the National U23 Athletics squad, with 400m athlete Jay Kumar highlighted as one to watch in the U23 group, while opening day action on Friday features seven medal events and multiple track rounds across varying distances.
The men's 10,000m opens the four-day meet, followed by medals in women's long jump, women's discus throw and men's hammer throw on Friday, while the men's and women's 3000m steeplechase final closes the first day; earlier, the men's 100m and 400m first rounds are set for the morning session with semi-finals for both distances in the evening session, and the overall schedule is summarised below.
| Day | Session | Event | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Opening day (Friday) | Morning | Men's 10,000m | First event of four-day meet |
| Opening day (Friday) | Morning | Men's 100m, Men's 400m | First round races |
| Opening day (Friday) | Evening | Men's 100m, Men's 400m | Semi-finals |
| Opening day (Friday) | Throughout | Women's long jump, Women's discus throw, Men's hammer throw | Medals decided |
| Opening day (Friday) | Evening | Men's and women's 3000m steeplechase | Final and last event of opening day |
The four-day Ranchi competition, supported by favourable weather and clear qualification standards, brings together leading Indian athletes across senior and U23 groups, with decathletes, sprinters, distance runners and throwers all seeking medals, national team selection and Glasgow Commonwealth Games qualification, while AFI officials monitor performances before confirming the final Indian squad strength.
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