AFI sets tougher qualifying norms for Asian Games

NEW DELHI: The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has set stringent benchmarks for track and field athletes targeting qualification for 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. AFI selection committee chairman Adille Sumariwalla said the federation’s priority is for athletes to peak for the Sept 19-Oct 4 Games.



Under the 2026 qualifying standards, men’s 100m and pole vault entrants will have to better the national records. The men’s 100m NR is 10.18s (Animesh Kujur, 2025) and the pole vault NR is 5.4m (Dev Meena, 2025). The AFI’s qualifying marks are 10.16s and 5.45m.



Sumariwalla said a sixth-place finish at the previous Asiad is the general benchmark for 2026 selection. In several events — including 200m, 400m, 800m and the high hurdles — the qualifying bar is a fifth-place finish. The AFI will select at least two eligible athletes per event, with selection panel’s decision final.

This year will also feature the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow (July 23-Aug 2). With just over a month in between the two events, the AFI is considering sending a younger squad to CWG so its top athletes can focus on the Asiad.

Neeraj focusing on rehab
Sumariwalla added that Olympic and world champion Neeraj Chopra is focusing on rehabilitation from a back injury sustained before last Sept’s World Championships.