India will proceed to next month’s World Athletics Championships in Tokyo with an all-time high representation in the men’s javelin throw, led by two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra. Four Indian athletes for the first time will represent the country in the same event at the World Championships, which reflects the nation’s increasing dominance in the discipline.
Neeraj Chopra Leads a Strong Javelin Contingent
India will have the largest team of men’s javelin throwers from any country to participate in the September 13–21 meet. Joining Chopra, who is the current world champion, Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh, and Rohit Yadav have earned their spots.
Chopra, who won gold in the 2023 event in Budapest, qualified as a wild card as the defending champion, with which India could enter an extra athlete over and above the regular three per country. The 27-year-old sensation also crossed the automatic qualification threshold of 85.50m, whereas the remaining three made it based on their world rankings.
Athletics Federation of India (AFI) president Adille Sumariwalla sounded optimistic about India’s prospects:
“I am particularly happy that we have four men’s javelin throwers who have qualified. We are hoping that this time also, they will all be in the finals.”
Rohit Yadav’s Late Entry Boosts Team Depth
Rohit Yadav was not originally in the top 36 category but got an invite late from World Athletics when higher-ranked athletes withdrew due to injuries. His selection is his redemption after injury prevented him from attending the 2023 World Championships, where Chopra, Kishore Jena, and DP Manu all qualified for the finals.
India’s four representatives are the only ones in men’s javelin. Heavyweights Germany, Finland, and Poland each have three representatives, and Japan, Sri Lanka, and the Czech Republic each have two representatives.
AFI Announces 19-Member Indian Team
AFI announced a 19-strong team for the Tokyo championships consisting of 14 men and 5 women. Apart from the javelin foursome, the team has long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, 200m runner Animesh Kujur, and triple jumpers Praveen Chithravel and Abdulla Aboobacker. Race walkers, hurdlers, and middle-distance runners are also part of the team.
Key last-minute entries were Tejas Shirse (110m hurdles) and Sandeep Kumar (35km race walk), who earned selections through world ranking invites.
Injuries Sideline Key Indian Athletes
In spite of the robust lineup, India will miss some big names owing to fitness concerns.
- Star 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable is out following surgery on his ACL in July.
- Akshdeep Singh, who qualified for the 20km race walk, was excluded because of medical concerns.
- Heptathlete Nandini Agasara, despite qualifying as Asian champion, is still unavailable as she recovers from an elbow injury.
India had sent 28 athletes, including relay teams, in 2023. This year, Indian relay teams have not qualified at all.
Rising Stars and Firsts for India
The Championships will also witness Animesh Kujur become India’s first participant in the men’s 200m at the Worlds. Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, who had missed the Paris Olympics because of injury, claimed the last qualifying spot through consistent form since July, including a best jump of 8.13m at Bhubaneswar.
Amongst women, Annu Rani comes back to javelin, whereas Parul Chaudhary and Ankita Dhyani will cover the 3000m steeplechase. Pooja will contest both 800m and 1500m after getting an additional invitation.
India’s Medal Hopes Rest on Chopra
While the 19-member squad reflects India’s growing depth, medal expectations are firmly pinned on Neeraj Chopra. Just as in 2023, he remains the only realistic podium contender. With consistent throws above 85m and his recent Diamond League form, Chopra enters Tokyo as one of the favorites.
If India is able to put more than one athlete into the javelin finals once again, it will highlight the evolution of the event as the country’s strongest track-and-field discipline on the international stage.
Indian Tem for World Championships 2025
Men: Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh, Rohit Yadav (javelin); Murali Sreeshankar (long jump); Gulveer Singh (5000m, 10000m); Praveen Chithravel, Abdulla Aboobacker (triple jump); Sarvesh Kushare (high jump); Animesh Kujur (200m); Tejas Shirse (110m hurdles); Servin Sebastian (20km race walk); Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar (35km race walk).
Women: Parul Chaudhary, Ankita Dhyani (3000m steeplechase); Annu Rani (javelin); Priyanka Goswami (35km race walk); Pooja (800m, 1500m).
