Monaco Diamond League 2025: Animesh Kujur finishes fourth on debut, Avinash Sable limps off with DNF

This was Animesh Kujur’s maiden appearance in the Diamond League.

India’s Animesh Kujur finished fourth in the U23 men’s 200m race in Monaco Diamond League 2025 at the Stade Louis II Stadium on Friday (July 11). The 22-year-old, Indian National Record holder, clocked 20.55 seconds to finish fourth in his Diamond League debut.

Animesh holds the 200m national record at 20.32 seconds, which he set earlier this year at the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, South Korea. Apart from the 200m, the lad from Chhattisgarh’s tribal Jashpur district, is also a national record holder in men’s 100m and 4x100m relay event, with Gurindervir Singh, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain.

A total of six athletes took the field on Friday in the U23 men’s 200m event at the Monaco Diamond League 2025. Australia’s Gout Gout won the race with a timing of 20.10 seconds, while Busang Kebinatshipi from Botswana finished second, clocking a time of 20.28 seconds.

Meanwhile, the third place was awarded to South Africa’s Naeem Jack, who completed the race in 20.42 seconds. Local lads from France Louis Cantos and Karim Sfaxi were the last two players to complete the race, clocking a time of 21.90 seconds and 22.69 seconds, respectively. Both French athletes registered their personal bests in the event.

Also Read: Which national records does Animesh Kujur hold?

Monaco Diamond League 2025 U23 men’s 200m final results

1. Gout Gout (Australia) – 20.10s
2. Busang Collen Kebinatshipi (Botswana) – 20.28s
3. Naeem Jack (South Africa) – 20.42s
4. Animesh Kujur (India) – 20.55s
5. Louis Cantos (France) – 21.90s [Personal Best]
6. Karim Sfaxi (France) – 22.69s [Personal Best]

Avinash Sable finishes with DNF after nasty fall

Apart from Animesh, compatriot and senior pro Aviansh Sable was also in action in Monaco. He competed in the men’s 3000m steeplechase event but did not complete the race after a nasty fall during the second water jump. The 30-year-old needed support after the incident and was seen limping off the track

An Asian and Asia Games champion in the event, Avinash was competing in his third Diamond League meet in ongoing 2025 season, having previously participated in the Xiamen and Shanghai legs. The national record holder recently clinched gold in men’s 3000m steeplechase at the Asian Athletics Championships.

Meanwhile, two-time Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco finished first with a timing of 8:03:18s while Japan’s Ryuji Miura finished second (8:03:43s) and Edmund Serem of Kenya came third with a time of 08:04:00s.

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