Army standout Harmanjot Singh headlines the senior men’s 10km field. The under-20 men’s 8km trio of Aditya Gurjar, Abhinandan Suryavanshi, and Karan Ramesh Saranade promises explosive performances.

On the women’s side, Nandini Gupta, Ujala, Sonia, and Munni Devi form the senior 10km powerhouse. Varsha, Mani Yadav, Sonam Kumari, and Arju gear up for the under-20 6km challenge, blending speed and stamina.

Selections were drawn from the high-stakes 60th National Cross-Country Championships in Ranchi, where 35 teams battled it out. RSPB athletes swept senior team honors in both men’s and women’s divisions, underscoring their training prowess.

SSCB’s Harmanjot Singh claimed individual senior men’s 10km gold in 30:33, while RSPB’s Nandini Gupta triumphed in the women’s equivalent at 35:42.28. UP’s under-20 men scored 22 points for team gold; Maharashtra’s women tallied 21 for theirs.

Top-four finishers from senior and junior groups earned their spots, reflecting AFI’s merit-based approach. This team draws momentum from the USA trials in Tallahassee on January 10 for the 2026 World Championships.

Gulvir Singh paced India to 40th in the 10km with 30:39. The 4x2km mixed relay squad – featuring Ajay Saroz, Pooja, Yunus Shah, and Ankita – clocked 24:13 for 12th place.

With Japan-bound preparations intensifying, India’s cross-country hopefuls are primed for breakthroughs. This championship offers a platform to showcase evolving depth in a discipline demanding tactical mastery over varied landscapes. Success here could propel several toward global stages.