Reigning world champion Neeraj Chopra will spearhead India’s 19-member squad at the World Athletics Championships 2025, to be held in Tokyo from 13 to 21 September. The contingent, announced by the Athletics Federation of India, features 13 men and six women and reflects both experience and promising new talent.

While Chopra remains India’s leading medal prospect in the men’s javelin throw, the breakthrough story belongs to Animesh Kujur, who has made history by becoming the first Indian male sprinter to qualify for the World Championships. The national record-holder will line up in the men’s 200m, marking a watershed moment for Indian sprinting on the global stage.

Chopra, who retained his world title in Budapest in 2023, qualified through a wild card as the defending champion, although he had also surpassed the 85.50m qualification standard earlier this season. He will be joined in the javelin event by Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh, both of whom earned their berths via the world rankings.

India secured four direct qualifications through entry standards: Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase), Parul Chaudhary (3000m steeplechase), Gulveer Singh (5000m) and Praveen Chitravel (triple jump). However, the country suffered a setback with the withdrawal of Sable, who has been ruled out due to injury.

A further 13 athletes gained entry through the world rankings. Among them are long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, who has enjoyed an unbeaten season since returning from a year-long lay-off, and Annu Rani, who recently rediscovered her form with a 62.59m throw in Poland – her best in over two years. The women’s line-up also includes Ankita Dhyani (3000m steeplechase), Pooja (1500m) and Priyanka Goswami, who will contest the 35km race walk.

In addition, race walking continues to provide depth for India, with Akshdeep Singh and Servin Sebastian qualifying in the men’s 20km event and Ram Baboo in the men’s 35km. Sarvesh Kushare (high jump) and Abdulla Aboobacker (triple jump) add further strength to the men’s field contingent.

The squad will, however, miss the services of Nandini Agasara, who had qualified for the heptathlon as Asian champion but is sidelined with an elbow injury.

India’s contingent for the World Athletics Championships 2025

Neeraj Chopra – Men’s javelin throw (wild card)

Sachin Yadav – Men’s javelin throw (rankings)

Yashvir Singh – Men’s javelin throw (rankings)

Praveen Chitravel – Men’s triple jump (entry standard)

Abdulla Aboobacker – Men’s triple jump (rankings)

Murali Sreeshankar – Men’s long jump (rankings)

Sarvesh Kushare – Men’s high jump (rankings)

Animesh Kujur – Men’s 200m (rankings)

Gulveer Singh – Men’s 5000m (entry standard)

Servin Sebastian – Men’s 20km race walk (rankings)

Akashdeep Singh – Men’s 20km race walk (rankings)

Ram Baboo – Men’s 35km race walk (rankings)

Avinash Sable* – Men’s 3000m steeplechase (entry standard; injured)

Parul Chaudhary – Women’s 3000m steeplechase (entry standard)

Ankita Dhyani – Women’s 3000m steeplechase (rankings)

Pooja – Women’s 1500m (rankings)

Annu Rani – Women’s javelin throw (rankings)

Priyanka Goswami – Women’s 35km race walk (rankings)

Nandini Agasara* – Heptathlon (area champion; injured)

(Athletes marked with * will miss the Championships due to injury)

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