Ranchi: The national record was smashed twice within minutes in men's 100m race as drama unfolded on the opening day of the National Senior Athletics Federation Competition here on Friday.
Gurindervir Singh of Reliance first shattered Animesh Kujur's 10-month-old national record of 10.18 seconds, clocking 10.17 seconds in the first semifinals heat. The new mark survived just a few minutes as Animesh ran 10.15 seconds in second semifinals heat to regain his record.
Both Gurindervir and Animesh will have another showdown in the final on Saturday.
Animesh, representing Odisha, went past the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualifying standard of 10.16 seconds set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
"It's all about hard work," said a jubilant Animesh after the race.
Fierce competition was also witnessed at the jumping arena on the opening day.
Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan, India's two heavyweights in women's long jump, battled it out to stay ahead of the other.
Eventually it was Ancy's day out as she won the event with a distance of 6.75m, bettering the meet record of 6.64m set by Shaili last year in Kochi. Ancy, who was representing Indian Navy, had a steady series of 6.47m, 6.56m, 6.69m, 6.75m, 6.68m and 6.57m.
Shaili, representing Anju Bobby George Sports Foundation, settled for the second place with a jump of 6.58m.Seema was the second athlete on day one to achieve CWG qualification mark in the women's discus throw. Her gold winning throw of 57.29m was better than the CWG qualification mark of 56.85m.