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The 29-year-old Afsal clocked 1 minute and 45.61 seconds to erase the earlier national record of 1:45.65s set by Jinson Johnson in 2018.
Mohammed Afsal. (X)
In an electrifying display of speed and determination, Asian Games silver medallist Mohammed Afsal made headlines by breaking the seven-year-old national record in the 800 meters at the UAE Athletics Grand Prix. Competing in a high-stakes race, Afsal clocked an impressive time of 1 minute and 45.61 seconds, surpassing the former record of 1:45.65 seconds set by Jinson Johnson in 2018.
The venue for this remarkable achievement was the Dubai Police Stadium, where Afsal faced off against a tough competitor in Kenya’s Nicholas Kiplagat. Kiplagat triumphed in the race, finishing with a time of 1:45.38 seconds, showcasing the caliber of athletes competing at this World Athletics Continental Tour bronze-level event.
While Afsal’s performance earned him a place in the record books, he narrowly missed the qualifying time for the upcoming 2025 World Championships, which stands at 1:44.50 seconds. Nonetheless, his clocking was a personal best, reinforcing his status as one of India’s top middle-distance runners.
Afsal’s journey to this historic moment has been one of perseverance and hard work. Just two years earlier, at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games, he secured a silver medal in the 800 meters with a time of 1:48.43 seconds. This progression underscores his commitment to improving and achieving greater heights in athletics.
In addition to Afsal’s impressive accomplishment, the UAE Athletics Grand Prix also featured standout performances from other athletes. National record holder Animesh Kujur claimed victory in the 200 meters, finishing in a time of 20.45 seconds. Kujur had previously set a national record of 20.40 seconds during the 2025 Federation Cup, breaking Amlan Borgohain’s record of 20.52 seconds that was achieved three years prior.
Borgohain himself competed in the Grand Prix but finished fifth in the 200 meters with a time of 21.08 seconds, demonstrating the competitive nature of this event. The atmosphere in Dubai was electric, with the audience witnessing remarkable athletic prowess and the breaking of records.
(This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed – PTI)
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