Meet Petty Officer Gurindervir Singh: Indian Navy Sprinter Who Became India’s Fastest Man

In the early hours of 24 May 2026, as the nation awoke to news of an extraordinary athletic feat, Petty Officer Gurindervir Singh of the Indian Navy etched his name into sporting history. At the 29th National Federation Cup Athletics Championships in Ranchi, the 25-year-old clocked a blistering 10.09 seconds in the men’s 100m final — the first time any Indian has broken the 10.10-second barrier. With this performance, he not only shattered the national record but also secured qualification for the 2026 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, instantly becoming India’s fastest man.

The Indian Navy’s official tribute captured the moment perfectly: “THE FASTEST MAN IN INDIA WEARS WHITES.” Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya echoed the sentiment, declaring that Gurindervir had “rewritten history” and that “the entire nation is incredibly proud.”

Roots of a Champion: Early Life in Rural Punjab

Born on 24 December 2000 in the modest village of Patial near Bhogpur in Jalandhar district, Punjab, Gurindervir Singh grew up in a household where sport was not merely recreation but a way of life. His father, Kamaljit Singh, a retired Assistant Sub-Inspector and former national-level volleyball player, recognised his son’s explosive potential early and trained him rigorously in the basics — skipping, jumping, and sprint drills — despite the absence of modern facilities. His mother provided unwavering emotional support, while his grandfather, a kabaddi player who had served in the Indian Army, instilled discipline and resilience.

Inspired by Usain Bolt’s iconic 2008 Beijing Olympic sprint, a young Gurindervir began serious training around the age of seven or eight. At Guru Nanak Mission Public School, coach Sarwan Singh first spotted his raw talent. Later mentors, including Sarabjit Singh, refined his technique. Yet at thirteen, when he committed fully to the 100m, several coaches discouraged him, advising a switch to the 400m on the grounds that “Indians lacked the genes” for elite sprinting. Gurindervir’s response was characteristically defiant: he vowed to prove that Indian genes “are strong.”

Trials, Setbacks, and Unyielding Resolve

The path to excellence was far from smooth. In 2022, Gurindervir suffered a debilitating digestive disorder that thinned the mucous lining of his stomach, severely impairing nutrient absorption. He was forced to take nearly a year away from competition, during which he received limited systemic support and came perilously close to abandoning the sport. His father even warned that if the condition persisted, he might have to give up running altogether. Mental fortitude, however, prevailed.

Recovery came gradually, aided by renewed focus and, crucially, the intervention of the Reliance Foundation in mid-2024. Joining their high-performance programme transformed his preparation. Under English coach James Hillier at the Reliance Foundation High-Performance Centre, Gurindervir gained access to world-class nutrition, physiotherapy, advanced strength training, and sports psychology. He trains alongside a formidable group that includes Animesh Kujur, former national record holder Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain — a collective that pushes each other to higher standards.

Service to the Nation: Petty Officer in the Indian Navy

Parallel to his athletic ascent, Gurindervir serves as a Petty Officer — a senior non-commissioned officer rank equivalent to a Havildar in the Indian Army — in the Indian Navy. Like many elite Indian athletes, he entered through the sports quota, allowing him to balance rigorous military duties with dedicated training. The Navy has been both employer and proud supporter, issuing official statements celebrating each milestone, from his 10.20-second national record at the 2025 Indian Grand Prix in Bengaluru to the historic 10.09-second run in Ranchi.

His journey mirrors that of another legendary military athlete, Milkha Singh, who discovered his sprinting prowess while serving in the Indian Army. Today, Gurindervir carries forward that proud tradition in Navy whites.

The Road to 10.09 Seconds: A Timeline of Records

Gurindervir’s breakthrough accelerated rapidly:

• March 2025: 10.20 seconds at the Indian Grand Prix-1, Bengaluru — new national record.
• April 2025: 38.69 seconds in the 4×100m relay (national record, Chandigarh).
• March 2026: 6.60 seconds in the 60m (national record).
• May 2026, Federation Cup, Ranchi: Semifinal 10.17 seconds (new record), followed by the final’s 10.09 seconds.

In the decisive final, he exploded from the blocks with characteristic compactness and power, maintaining form through the line to finish 0.11 seconds ahead of rival and training partner Animesh Kujur. The performance not only eclipsed the previous national mark of 10.18 seconds but also placed him among Asia’s elite sprinters for the season.

Mindset of a Record-Breaker

Post-race, Gurindervir revealed the mental preparation that defined his success. “I have been thinking from the time I was eight years old that I can go this fast,” he said. He described the race as a pure test of mental strength and credited his training partners for mutual improvement: “If he runs fast, I want to run faster. Athletes have to push each other.”

His race bib and t-shirt carried the defiant message: “10.10. Task is not finished yet. Wait, I am still standing.” It was both a personal reminder and a response to online sceptics who had questioned his potential. In victory, he expressed gratitude to his family — “my father, who inspires me, and my mother, who motivates me” — his coaches, trainers, dietitian, and above all the Reliance Foundation for providing the infrastructure that turned potential into reality.

A New Chapter for Indian Sprinting

Gurindervir Singh’s achievement represents more than a single record; it signals a paradigm shift. For decades, Indian sprinting has been overshadowed by middle- and long-distance successes. His sub-10.10-second run, achieved through disciplined training, institutional support, and unshakeable self-belief, demonstrates that world-class sprinting is attainable for Indian athletes.

He has already set his sights higher: “Soon, the world will see Indians running below 10 seconds.”

As India prepares for the 2026 Asian Games and Commonwealth Games, Petty Officer Gurindervir Singh stands as both a symbol of national pride and a living testament to what is possible when talent meets opportunity, resilience, and unwavering commitment. In the storied legacy of Indian military athletes — from Milkha Singh to the present — a new name now shines brightly: Petty Officer Gurindervir Singh, the fastest man in India.