Harjit Singh (28) has emerged as one of Punjab’s brightest sprinting talents after delivering a remarkable performance at the National Athletics Series-5 held in Sangrur on May 9. Interestingly, the rising sprinter revealed that he was once a kabaddi player before making a late switch to athletics during his school years.
Representing Punjab, Harjit Singh clocked an impressive 10.32 seconds in the 100-metre race to secure the first place and register a new personal best. The competition was organised under the Indian Series initiative by the Athletics Federation of India, which aims to promote athletics across different regions of the country through national-level events.
Currently training at the Sports College, Jalandhar, under coach Sarabjeet Singh Happy, Harjit’s latest achievement has again highlighted Jalandhar as a major hub for sprinting talent in Punjab. The city has produced several international athletes over the years, continuing its legacy in athletics. Harjit belongs to Majri village in Fatehgarh Sahib.
Apart from being a dedicated athlete, Harjit is also serving in the Indian Air Force. His outstanding timing of 10.32 seconds has brought him into the spotlight and strengthened his position as a strong contender for upcoming national and international competitions.
Adding an interesting dimension to his journey, Harjit, son of a retired PSPCL employee, shared that he played kabaddi till Class XI before shifting his focus completely to athletics.
“My father used to take me to the ground when I was very young. My father was also a kabaddi player and when I started playing athletics, there was no looking back,” said Harjit.
Harjit has previously represented India at international events, including the World University Games, and has earned success in several national championships. His latest performance reflects his consistent hard work and growing confidence ahead of major competitions.
Speaking after the event, both Harjit Singh and coach Sarabjeet Singh shared insights into their training methods and race strategies that helped achieve the personal best timing. Harjit stated that his focus is now firmly set on upcoming inter-state championships, national championships and future Asian-level competitions, where he hopes to continue bringing glory to Punjab and India.
