At the National Indoor Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, the men’s 60m final offered two very different stories within seconds.On one side, Punjab’s Gurindervir Singh clocked 6.60 seconds to set a new national record and underline his growing consistency in short sprints. On the other, favourite Animesh Kujur was disqualified for a false start, ending his race before it could begin.For Kujur, the race was meant to be a proof of improvement. “Last year, my starts were not very good. This year, I worked a lot on that and the 60m was the best event to test it,” he told The Tribune. “I just regret that I fouled under pressure. But I know my start has improved and I will carry that into the 100m and 200m races this season.”The disappointment was immediate, especially with local support behind him, but the response was measured.”My coach took me away because he knew people would ask questions. I felt bad because I had prepared so much, but I’m taking it as a lesson and focusing on what’s next,” he added.For Gurindervir, the performance was a continuation of steady progress. The sprinter has been building his profile in the national circuit and relay setups, and this record adds to that upward curve. “It feels good, but it’s already done,” he said. “You have to move on quickly. If you stay too long in one moment, you lose focus on what’s next.”His approach reflects the demands of sprinting at this level. In a 60m race, there is no room for recovery. The start — reaction time and first few strides — decide everything. “There is no wind indoors, so everything depends on your execution,” Kujur explained. “Outdoors, conditions can vary, but here it is just about how well you start and run.”Beyond individual performances, the event also highlighted a shift in Indian athletics. With the introduction of a proper indoor setup, athletes are now getting exposure to conditions similar to international competitions.”India is quite late in building these facilities, but it’s a good step,” Gurindervir said. “Track quality makes a big difference and more states should invest in this.”While the 60m final offered contrasting outcomes, the focus has already shifted to what lies ahead.Both athletes walk away with different outcomes, but a shared reality. In races this short, there is no space to recover, only to learn. What matters is how that lesson shapes what comes next.For both athletes, attention has already shifted to the next objective. The duo is all set to participate in the International Invitation Relay Competition here on Saturday. The event gives the Indian teams an opportunity to qualify for the World Relays, which will be held in Botswana in May.”Tomorrow we are going to set a record in the 4x100m relay. We have prepared well and everyone is in good form,” Kujur said.