Amiya Kumar Mallick, Sachin Yadav set to return to action at Indian Open 

Veteran sprinter Amiya Kumar Mallick will return to action after a long break, hoping to prove he still has the speed to match the new group of Indians when he lines up for the 100m at the third Indian Open athletics meet here on Thursday.

The 32-year-old former national record holder last turned out at the Open Nationals last year but was disqualified for a false start in the Heats. Before that, he had participated in the 2023 National Games in Goa, finishing a disappointing seventh. He was, however, part of the Odisha relay team at the 2025 National Games.

Also returning to action at the Birsa Munda Stadium after more than a month of recovery will be javelin thrower Sachin Yadav. Yadav, fourth on the world-leading list for the year with his 84.39m throw for gold at the National Games, where he twisted his ankle.

File photo: Indian Javelin thrower Sachin Yadav.
| Photo Credit:
RITU RAJ KONWAR/The Hindu

His mark also makes him the fifth-best Indian thrower of all time.

ALSO READ | Neeraj Chopra to begin season with Doha Diamond League on May 16

Yadav is targeting the 85.50m mark to qualify for the World Championships later this year. Asian Championships bronze medalist Abhishek Pal has entered the 5000m.

Among the women, all eyes will be on Srabani Nanda, who is participating in both the 100 and 200m after a disappointing outing at the National Games in February. Sanjivani Jadhav will be in action in the 5000m, which is among the few events that have decent participation in the women’s section.

Otherwise, there are only a few women’s entries across events despite the AFI making it mandatory to participate in one of the Grand Prix/Indian Open meets to qualify for the Federation Cup.