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ASICS GEL-KAYANO 31 offers stability and comfort in every step
Mumbai: ASICS announced the launch of the GEL-KAYANO 31 shoe, the latest in what has long been one of ASICS’ stability running shoe series. The optimised comfort has been achieved thanks to a refurbished upper enabling the latest model of the GEL-KAYANO series to cuddle up to all runners.
Succeeding the new approach for adaptive stability with premium comfort taken by ASICS in designing the shoe’s predecessor, the GEL-KAYANO 30 shoe, the shoe may help runners of all abilities go further as they move their minds.
Following the ASICS Design Philosophy of continuous small improvements to create products that feel best for both body and mind, the shoe’s asymmetrical medial design upper has been refurbished to create a supportive fit and a more comfortable feel. The mesh upper has also been designed to provide better ventilation, ensuring the feet stay cool over longer distances and improving flexibility so that runners get maximum comfort with every stride.
Through updating the shoe’s outsole with a HYBRID ASICSGRIP rubber material, the GEL-KAYANO 31 shoe also helps provide better traction throughout your run, to strengthen the shoe’s stability. This combined with PureGEL technology delivers improved shock absorption and even smoother transitions, adding further protection.
As with its landmark predecessor, the shoe benefits from a unique 4D GUIDANCE SYSTEM which – honed through user testing and research – works with the movement of the body to provide adaptive stability and comfort, cuddling up to all runners when they need it most.
Junichiro Tateishi, general manager of the Product Function Research Department, at ASICS said: “We believe the GEL-KAYANO 31 shoe not only provides the stability the shoe is famous for but also delivers a truly impressive level of comfort to help runners go further. We are also proud that the GEL-KAYANO 31 shoe continues to display its CO2e emissions, printed on its insole as 10.6kg per pair, which shows ASICS’ ongoing commitment to transparency regarding the CO2e emissions so that runners can feel confident about their choice of GEL-KAYANO 31 shoe.
The GEL-KAYANO is a legendary running shoe for a reason, and we’re excited to see how fans of the series enjoy this added comfort when they try the shoe. Our hope is that it helps everyone feel comfortable, confident and uplifted.”
The GEL-KAYANO 31 shoe will be available for men and women from ASICS retail, online stores and specialists running outlets globally from 20 August 2024 for Rs 15,999.
To find out more about the GEL-KAYANO 31 shoe and the latest technologies, please visit asics.com.
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YES Bank hands the keys to SBI veteran Vinay Tonse as it bets on a new era
Former SBI managing director appointed as YES Bank’s new MD and CEO
MUMBAI: YES Bank is done rebuilding. Now it wants to grow. The private sector lender has appointed Vinay Muralidhar Tonse as managing director and chief executive officer-designate, with RBI approval secured and a start date of April 6, 2026 confirmed. The three-year term signals the bank’s intent to shift gears from crisis recovery to full-throttle expansion.
Tonse, 60, is no stranger to scale. Most recently managing director at State Bank of India, he oversaw a retail book of roughly $800bn in deposits and advances, one of the largest in the country. Before that, he ran SBI Mutual Fund from August 2020 to December 2022, a stint that saw assets under management surge from Rs 4.32 lakh crore to Rs 7.32 lakh crore across market cycles. Add stints in Singapore and four years leading SBI’s overseas operations in Osaka, and the incoming chief arrives with a genuinely global CV.
His academic grounding is equally solid: a commerce degree from St Joseph’s College of Commerce, Bengaluru, and a master’s in commerce from Bangalore University.
The appointment follows an extensive search and evaluation process by the bank’s Nomination and Remuneration Committee. NRC chairperson Nandita Gurjar said the committee unanimously backed Tonse, citing his leadership track record, governance credentials and ability to drive the bank’s next phase of transformation.
Non-executive chairman Rama Subramaniam Gandhi was unequivocal. “I am certain that Vinay Tonse, with his vast experience as a senior banker, will propel YES Bank to its next phase of growth,” Gandhi said, adding that the bank remains focused on strengthening its retail and corporate banking franchises and expanding its branch network.
Rajeev Kannan, non-executive director and senior executive at Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, the bank’s largest shareholder, said Tonse’s experience across retail, corporate banking, global markets and asset management positioned him well to lead the lender. SMBC said it looks forward to working with Tonse and the board as YES Bank pursues its ambition of becoming a top-tier private sector lender anchored in strong governance and sustainable growth.
Tonse succeeds Prashant Kumar, who took the helm in March 2020 when YES Bank was in freefall following a severe financial crisis, and spent six years painstakingly stabilising the institution, rebuilding governance and restoring operational scale. Gandhi was generous: “The bank remains indebted to Prashant Kumar, who is responsible for much of what a strong financial powerhouse YES Bank is today.”
Tonse, for his part, struck a purposeful note. “Together with the board and my colleagues, I remain deeply committed to creating long-term value for all our stakeholders,” he said, pledging to build on Kumar’s foundation guided by his personal motto: Make A Difference.
Beyond the balance sheet, Tonse played cricket at college and club level and represented Karnataka in archery at the national championships — sports he credits with teaching him teamwork, situational leadership, discipline and focus. In quieter moments, he reaches for retro Kannada music, classic Hindi songs, and the crooning of Engelbert Humperdinck, Mukesh and Kishore Kumar.
YES Bank has its steady-handed rebuilder in Kumar to thank for survival. Now it has a scale-obsessed growth banker at the wheel. The next chapter starts April 6.
