India, Feb. 21 -- It's tough not to notice Animesh Kujur's flamboyance. With his arms spread out in Usain Bolt's iconic Lightning Bolt celebration and his piston-like feet that show no signs of deceleration, Kujur has exploded on the Indian athletics scene with chutzpah befitting a world-beating track star. If not for the deadpan sincerity with which he spells out his dreams, the aspiring footballer-turned-speedster could be misconstrued as the athletics equivalent of a trash-talking boxer.

"I want to be the first Indian to break the 10-second barrier in 100m and 20-second barrier in 200m races," he declared matter-of-factly. If it's an act, it is an act done well.

"He comes across as this super loud character but he is quite humble. He...