Cheptegei Dominates Global Field as Gulveer Singh and Seema Script Indian Milestones
Kolkata, December 21:
The streets of Kolkata bore witness to a landmark chapter in Indian road racing as the 10th edition of the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata delivered a spectacular blend of global excellence and Indian resurgence. On a crisp winter morning, champions rose to the occasion, records fell decisively, and Indian distance running took a significant stride forward.
Uganda’s iconic long-distance runner Joshua Cheptegei justified his superstar status by clinching the international elite men’s title, while India’s Gulveer Singh and Seema delivered defining performances, rewriting event records in the Indian elite categories.
Cheptegei Lives Up to the Hype
The double Olympic champion stamped his authority with a measured yet commanding run, pulling away in the final stretch to claim his maiden Kolkata title in 1:11:49. He finished ahead of Tanzania’s Alphonce Felix Simbu (1:11:56) and Lesotho’s Tebello Ramakongoana (1:11:59) in one of the closest podium finishes in the race’s history.
Though the course record remained intact, Cheptegei’s tactical brilliance and finishing strength reaffirmed his standing among the greatest distance runners of the modern era.
Azimeraw Topples Defending Champion
In the international elite women’s race, Ethiopia’s Degitu Azimeraw produced a flawless front-running performance to win in 1:19:36, dethroning two-time champion Sutume Asefa Kebede. Leading from start to finish, Azimeraw steadily built a decisive gap, underlining her mastery of the Kolkata course.
Gulveer Singh Redefines Indian Men’s Standards
The standout Indian performance came from Gulveer Singh, who delivered a race of rare dominance to win the Indian elite men’s title in 1:12:06, smashing his own previous course record by more than two minutes. His fearless pace and composure against an international field highlighted the rapid rise of Indian endurance running.
“India is rising step by step, race by race. Consistency and discipline are the real keys,” Gulveer said after his emphatic victory.
Seema Breaks Eight-Year-Old Record
Equally commanding was Seema in the Indian elite women’s race. Running with precision and confidence, she clocked 1:26:04 to erase an eight-year-old course record. Winning by a margin of over four minutes, Seema’s performance reflected both technical excellence and growing international ambition.
“The course was tougher, but my mindset was clear—to win. My next focus is qualifying for the Asian and Commonwealth Games,” she said.
A Defining Moment for Indian Road Racing
As the Tata Steel World 25K Kolkata celebrated its 10th edition, the event once again reaffirmed its status as one of Asia’s premier road races. With world champions delivering elite performances and Indian athletes rewriting history, Kolkata witnessed not just a race, but a powerful statement of progress—signalling a bright and confident future for Indian distance running on the global stage.
