Meerut: Kerala-born international quarter-miler Mijo Chacko Kurian continued his strong run on the domestic athletics circuit, winning the men’s 400m gold at the 15th leg of the Indian Athletics Series in Meerut on Wednesday.

Representing the Indian Air Force, Kurian stopped the clock at 46.89 seconds to finish first in the 400m.

The result adds another national-level victory to the résumé of the sprinter from Kerala, who has represented India on the international stage.

Kurian’s Meerut outing was particularly notable as he also finished runner-up in the men’s 200m.

Rajasthan’s Adesh Garsa took the gold in 21.39 seconds, with Kurian close behind at 21.41 seconds. Reliance’s Ruchit Mori completed the podium in 21.50 seconds.

The 30-year-old has been a familiar name in India’s 400m and 4x400m relay programme.

Born in Kerala and brought up in Mangaluru’s Panambur, Kurian has built an international career around the 400m and relay events. He is a member of the Indian Air Force and has represented the country at major international competitions.

One of the biggest highlights of his career came at the 2022 Asian Games, where he was part of India’s gold-medal-winning men’s 4x400m relay team.

He was also a member of the Indian squad that won silver in the men’s 4x400m relay at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships.

Kurian’s personal best in the individual 400m is 46.10 seconds, recorded in Jalahalli in September 2022. His 200m best stands at 21.45 seconds, according to World Athletics.

The Meerut competition is the 15th leg of the 2026 Indian Athletics Series, organised by the Uttar Pradesh Athletics Association.

The Athletics Federation of India had scheduled the Meerut leg for September 2, with athletes competing across track and field events.

For Kurian, Wednesday’s double podium underlines his versatility across the sprint distances, while his 400m gold gives Kerala another reason to take pride in one of its international athletics representatives.