The Indian Open Athletics Meet (IOAM) returns to Bengaluru this weekend, with Olympians Tejaswin Shankar and Tajinderpal Singh Toor set to headline the fifth leg of the prestigious domestic circuit at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium.
After successful stops in Sangrur, Nadiad, Ranchi, and Chennai, the IOAM’s Bengaluru edition promises high-octane action as elite athletes test their mid-season form. Tejaswin Shankar, fresh off a silver medal in decathlon at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships in South Korea, will return to his signature event—the high jump. The 26-year-old national record holder (2.29m), representing JSW, faces stiff competition from Maharashtra’s Sarvesh Anil Kushare, who recently cleared 2.26m at the National Federation Senior Athletics Championships in Kochi.
Shankar will also compete in the men’s 110m hurdles, showcasing his versatility. Meanwhile, shot put ace Tajinderpal Singh Toor, another Asian medallist, is expected to dominate his event, adding further star power to the meet.
In the middle-distance category, national record-breaker Mohammed Afsal P will compete in the men’s 800m, aiming to extend his impressive run this season.
The women’s events are equally compelling. Tamil Nadu’s R Vithya Ramraj, a three-time national champion and recent bronze medallist at the Asian Championships, will lead the 400m hurdles. In the sprints, Telangana’s Nithya Gandhe will challenge Karnataka’s V Sudheeksha, Daneshwari AT, and Sneha SS in what is expected to be a tightly contested 100m dash.
Local hopes also rest on Aryan Manoj (100m) and Abhin B Devadiga (200m), both recent gold medallists at the state championships. Karnataka’s Jesse Sandesh, a triple jumper with a personal best of 2.24m, will vie for a podium finish among a field of 23 competitors.
Following the Bengaluru leg, the IOAM series will move to Pune, Patna, and conclude in Sangrur in July, wrapping up a dynamic season of domestic athletics.
