Indian Athletics Series Final to feature top stars in New Delhi

The Indian Athletics Series Final will be held at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi on September 10, featuring the country's top-ranked athletes. Competitors will qualify based on national rankings, with prize money awarded to the top six finishers in each event

Hyderabad: The invitational prize money one-day Indian Athletics Series Final, scheduled for September 10 at New Delhi’s iconic Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, will attract top athletes, including the Japan Asian Games-bound squad.

The competitors for the final leg of the Indian Athletics Series, being held under the aegis of AFI (Athletics Federation of India) in New Delhi, will be invited as per their rankings in their respective events, AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo said.

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“The final leg of the Indian Athletics Series will be conducted in 31 events, including 16 in the women’s section,” the AFI President said. “The top eight athletes as per their rankings in each of the track and field events are eligible to compete in the grand final.”

In the men’s and women’s 1,500m and 3,000m steeplechase events, Sagoo said the top 12 ranked athletes will be eligible to compete.

“The AFI has sent invitations to eligible athletes. The deadline to confirm entries is August 10,” the AFI President said on Tuesday. “If any of the top eight ranked athletes does not confirm participation, then the next best ranked athlete from among the four reserve athletes will be eligible to compete in the final leg.”

Several national record holders and Olympians are ranked No 1 in their respective events halfway through an exciting 2026 season. The rankings are based on the performances of the athletes till the 65th National Inter State Senior Athletics Championships, held from June 24 to 28 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra (85.69m) is ranked second in the men’s javelin behind Rohit Yadav (87.05m). India’s fastest male sprinter and national record holder Gurindervir Singh is ranked No 1 in the men’s 100m, while Animesh Kujur is ranked No 1 in the men’s 200m. National record holder Vishal TK is ranked No 1 in the men’s 400m. Sarvesh Anil Kushare, the newly crowned champion, is leading the field in the men’s high jump. With a season-best effort of 8.38m, Sreeshankar Murali is No 1 in the men’s long jump.

In the women’s section, Vithya Ramraj is ranked No 1 in the 400m and 400m hurdles. Middle-distance runner Pooja is leading the field in the 800m and 1,500m. Praul Chaudhary is ranked No 1 in the women’s 3,000m steeplechase.

Sprinter-cum-hurdler Jyoti Yarraji’s season-best time of 12.99 seconds has earned her the No 1 position in the women’s 100m hurdles. Pooja Singh is ranked No 1 in the women’s high jump, while Ancy Sojan is ranked No 1 in the women’s long jump.

The top six athletes in each event will be eligible for prize money, with the winner receiving Rs 1,00,000.

List of events:

Men: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 110m hurdles, 400m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, hammer throw, javelin throw.

Women: 100m, 200m, 400m, 800m, 1500m, 3000m steeplechase, 100m hurdles, 400m hurdles, high jump, long jump, triple jump, pole vault, shot put, hammer throw, discus throw, javelin throw.