Gurvindervir Singh reveals people discouraged him running 100m: 'Indians don’t have genes for sprinting'

Gurvindervir Singh, the first Indian to breach the 10.10-second barrier in 100m sprint, has said that people wanted him to take up 400m as they believed Indians lacked the genes to compete in the category.

In a sensational run on Sunday in the ongoing Federation Cup in Ranchi, Gurvindervir burst through 100m in just 10.09 seconds to snatch the national record from compatriot Animesh Kujur. The Punjab athlete had established a new national record just a day back in the heats with 10.17s but Kujur had broken that during his turn with 10.15s. However, Gurvindervir took it back on Saturday in style.

'Wanted to prove detractors wrong'

Gurindervir breached the 2026 Commonwealth Games qualifying time of 10.16 seconds set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI). His time of 10.09 seconds is also the second fastest time by an Asian so far this season, behind 10.08 seconds clocked by 19-year-old Japanese sprinter Fukuto Komuro in May.

"When I started around the time when I was in sixth, seventh standard. From that time, people used to tell me that there is not future in 100m. Indians cannot run 100m. Choose 400m. This is where everyone runs. Indians do not have the genes for spriting," the Punjab athlete told reporters after his historic win.

More from Sports

"So I have to prove them wrong and show that there is nothing above Indian genes," he declared after his victory.

The race will also be remembered for his rivalry with Kujur who saw his national record being snatched twice by Gurvinder in two days. In the final, Kujur finished 0.11 seconds behind the new national record holder. Gurvinder praised Kujur for raising the standard for him.

Talking about the brewing rivalry, the Punjab runner said: "It is a very good thing and it must keep happening. Until there is a rivalry, people would not enjoy it. I am also enjoying running."

"Thank you to him as well that he left football to come in athletics and run 100m. Since he came, mentality has increased that more good people are coming so we have to up our game," Gurvindervir said after his victory.

As for his future target, Gurvindervir did not reveal much and said that training hard remains his priority.