Nagoya, September 29 (Daily Kiran) : Animesh Kujur, representing India, proudly dedicated his bronze medal win in the mixed 4×100 meter relay at the Asian Games 2026 to his country, family, and support system. Competing alongside Gurinderveer Singh, Sneha Satyanarayan, and Harita Bhadra, the team completed the race in 41.06 seconds, securing third place. China clinched the gold medal with a time of 40.78 seconds, while Thailand followed closely for silver at 40.87 seconds.
This achievement not only marked a significant moment for the Indian quartet but also broke the national record previously set during the World Relay 2026 in Gaborone, where the team clocked 41.35 seconds.
Reflecting on the race, Kujur noted that despite challenging weather conditions, the team’s confidence and motivation fueled their determination to win a medal. He shared, “It was raining heavily today. This was my seventh race on this track. I was curious about how it would feel, but I enjoyed it immensely because our team was so motivated. I realized we would win a medal when Gauri (Gurinderveer Singh) had a strong start. When Harita finished the race, I felt immense relief. We achieved our goal for which we prepared all year. We were all very happy after receiving the medal. That moment was so incredible that I can’t express it in words.”
Kujur dedicated the medal to those who supported the team, saying, “First, I want to dedicate this medal to India, as people were watching live and cheering for us. They were saying, ‘Come on India, you can do it!’ After I fell in the relay race yesterday, I received many messages from people I don’t even know, encouraging me to perform well. Everyone was cheering me on. Next, I dedicate this medal to my federation, the Athletics Federation of India, and then to TOPS, the Reliance Foundation, and Puma.”
He also expressed gratitude towards his family, who believed in his potential. “My family always thought that if I didn’t focus on my studies, I wouldn’t achieve anything in life. But I pursued sports and today, I won a medal for India. I am very happy; words cannot capture this joy.”
Looking ahead, Kujur mentioned his desire to secure a job, stating, “I hope to find a position in ONGC, income tax, UGP, or with the state government.”
Harita, who had already won a bronze medal in the women’s 200 meters at these games, remarked that the weather conditions were not a significant issue for the Indian team. “I am very happy to have won two medals at my first Asian Games. We prepared well, even training in the rain,” she said.
Gurinderveer also credited his success to those around him, expressing gratitude for their support. “I thank everyone who stood by me. This medal is because of them.”
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