India scripted history at the International Association of Ultrarunners (IAU) 24-Hour Asia and Oceania Championships 2026 held in Hirosaki City, Japan, after winning an impressive total of five medals in one of the biggest endurance running events in Asia. The remarkable performance has been hailed as one of India’s greatest achievements in ultra-distance running.
Leading India’s historic campaign was ultramarathon star Amar Singh Devanda, who clinched the gold medal in the men’s individual category after covering an incredible distance of 282.881 kilometres within 24 hours. His outstanding performance also created a new national record and established him among Asia’s top endurance athletes.
India completely dominated the men’s category as Geeno Antony secured the silver medal with a distance of 272.894 kilometres, while Saurav Ranjan added another bronze medal for the country. The Indian men’s team also captured the team gold medal with a combined distance of 815.833 kilometres, outperforming strong teams from Japan and Australia.
In the women’s competition, India continued its impressive showing by winning the bronze medal in the team category. Tenzin Dolma emerged as the top Indian female athlete after finishing fourth individually and rewriting the national record with a distance of 228.939 kilometres during the gruelling event.
The championship featured 81 athletes from nine countries competing in one of the toughest endurance races in the world, where runners continuously race for 24 hours with minimal rest. Sports experts praised the Indian contingent for their discipline, stamina, and mental toughness under extreme conditions.
Amar Singh Devanda’s achievement gained widespread praise across India, including congratulations from the Indian Air Force and sports authorities. Fans and athletes across social media celebrated the historic success, calling it a major milestone for Indian ultrarunning on the global stage.
The historic medal haul is expected to boost awareness and support for ultramarathon sports in India, inspiring a new generation of endurance runners to compete at the international level.