/images/ppid_59c68470-image-177910253149848033.webp)
New Delhi, May 21: The much-awaited domestic competition in Indian athletics, the Federation Cup, will begin on Friday (May 22) at the Birsa Munda Stadium in Ranchi.
This will be the final qualifying event for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, with several top athletes set to compete. Here are five stars to watch out for at the tournament, which concludes on May 25.
1). ANIMESH KUJUR (MEN'S 100M & 200M)
Asian Championships bronze medallist Animesh Kujur will aim to rewrite the national records in both the 100m and 200m in Ranchi.
He began his 2026 season at the National Indoor Championships in the 60m, where he was disqualified in the final. Later, at the Indian Athletics Series-3 in New Delhi, he clocked 10.28s in the 100m and 20.74s in the 200m. While these timings were below his usual
standards, they were still solid performances for a season opener (in 100m and 200m).
Animesh then represented India at the World Relays in Botswana, where the Indian mixed 4x100m relay team finished sixth with a national record time of 41.35s on Day 2 after dropping the baton on Day 1. However, the team narrowly missed qualification for the 2027 World Championships in Beijing.
In his most recent competition, the Saudi Athletics Grand Prix, he recorded 10.44s in the 100m and 20.77s in the 200m.
In Ranchi, Animesh is expected to face strong competition from former national record holder Gurindervir Singh, National Indoor silver medallist Lalu Prasad Bhoi, and Tamilarasu, who currently holds India's fastest 100m time this season. The Commonwealth Games qualification standards stand at 10.16s for the 100m and 20.61s for the 200m.
2). ANNU RANI (WOMEN'S JAVELIN THROW)
After a long break, Asian medallist Annu Rani finally opened her 2026 season at the Indian Athletics Series-5 in Sangrur, where she finished third with a best throw of 55.78m.
Before this, her last appearance came at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, where she failed to qualify for the final. Despite that setback, Annu enjoyed a strong 2025 season, crossing the 60m mark in three different competitions. Interestingly, she had achieved the mark only once each in 2023 and 2024, making her 2025 season one of her most consistent.
The Commonwealth Games qualification standard for women's javelin throw is 59.79m, a mark well within Annu's reach. At the previous Commonwealth Games, she won bronze with a throw of exactly 60.00m.
3). SACHIN YADAV (MEN'S JAVELIN THROW)
One athlete to keep a close eye on in Ranchi is Sachin Yadav. His meteoric rise in 2025 was remarkable. From winning silver at the Asian Championships in Gumi (his first international event) to finishing fourth at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Sachin has consistently delivered on the big stage.
Sachin started his 2026 season at the Indian Athletics Series-3 in New Delhi, where he finished behind Rohit Yadav with a best throw of 81.95m. Although it was not a strong start, the 86.27m personal best holder clearly has the potential to go even further, and upcoming competitions could see him return to his peak form.
The Commonwealth Games qualification standard for men's javelin throw is 82.61m. Following the Federation Cup, Sachin is set to make his Diamond League debut after being named in the entry list for the Rome Diamond League. He will compete alongside top international stars including Rumesh Pathirage, Julian Weber, Anderson Peters and Curtis Thompson.
4). MURALI SREESHANKAR (MEN'S LONG JUMP)
India's second-best long jumper of all time, Murali Sreeshankar, has been in outstanding form since returning from injury.
Last year, he made a successful comeback from a serious knee injury, crossing the 8m mark in three different competitions and also competing at the World Championships in Tokyo.
This season, Murali began strongly at the Indian Athletics Series-1 in Bengaluru with a jump of 8.15m. He then won the Simbine Classic with a best jump of 8.12m, before securing another victory at the Indian Athletics Series-6 in Chennai with 8.04m.
The Asian Championships medallist is currently in brilliant form and has already crossed the Commonwealth Games qualification standard of 8.05m for men's long jump.
Interestingly, only three Indian long jumpers have crossed the 8m mark in 2026 so far:
- Shahnawaz Khan - 8.23m
- Lokesh Sathyanathan - 8.21m
- Murali Sreeshankar - 8.15m
5). SARVESH KUSHARE (MEN'S HIGH JUMP)
Sarvesh Kushare made history last year by becoming the first Indian high jumper to qualify for the final at the World Championships. He eventually finished sixth in Tokyo with a personal best jump of 2.28m.
However, his 2026 season has been filled with ups and downs. He opened the year with 2.16m at the Indian Open Jumps in Bengaluru and later finished with the same height at the National Indoor Championships in Bhubaneswar, where he was beaten by Odisha's local star Swadhin Kumar Manjhi.
Sarvesh showed signs of returning to form at the Indian Athletics Series-1 in Bengaluru, where he cleared a season-best 2.23m. In his most recent competition, he managed 2.19m at the Indian Athletics Series-4 in Ranchi.
At the Federation Cup, Sarvesh will face stiff competition from Asian Indoor medallist Aadarsh Ram and National Indoor champion Swadhin Kumar Manjhi. The Commonwealth Games qualification standard for men's high jump is 2.22m, a mark already achieved by both Sarvesh and Aadarsh Ram.
