India’s golden boy of track and field, Neeraj Chopra, will lead a 19-member Indian contingent at the World Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) announced the final squad on Sunday, with Chopra entering the competition as the defending world champion in men’s javelin throw. His wildcard entry has paved the way for India to field four javelin throwers in the event for the first time in history.
The squad comprises 14 men and 5 women, with athletes qualifying either by breaching the entry standards, securing a spot through world rankings, or receiving an invitation from World Athletics. Notably, three qualified athletes—Avinash Sable, Akshdeep Singh, and Nandini Agasara—have been ruled out due to medical reasons.
🧭 India’s Final Squad for World Athletics Championships 2025
| Athlete Name | Event(s) | Qualification Route |
|---|---|---|
| Neeraj Chopra | Men’s Javelin | Wildcard (Defending Champion) |
| Sachin Yadav | Men’s Javelin | World Ranking |
| Yashvir Singh | Men’s Javelin | World Ranking |
| Rohit Yadav | Men’s Javelin | World Athletics Invitation |
| Murali Sreeshankar | Men’s Long Jump | World Ranking |
| Gulveer Singh | Men’s 5000m & 10,000m | Entry Standard & Invitation |
| Praveen Chithravel | Men’s Triple Jump | Entry Standard |
| Abdulla Aboobacker | Men’s Triple Jump | World Ranking |
| Sarvesh Kushare | Men’s High Jump | World Ranking |
| Animesh Kujur | Men’s 200m | World Ranking |
| Tejas Shirse | Men’s 110m Hurdles | World Athletics Invitation |
| Servin Sebastian | Men’s 20km Race Walk | World Ranking |
| Ram Baboo | Men’s 35km Race Walk | World Ranking |
| Sandeep Kumar | Men’s 35km Race Walk | World Athletics Invitation |
| Parul Chaudhary | Women’s 3000m Steeplechase | Entry Standard |
| Ankita Dhyani | Women’s 3000m Steeplechase | World Ranking |
| Annu Rani | Women’s Javelin | World Ranking |
| Priyanka Goswami | Women’s 35km Race Walk | World Ranking |
| Pooja | Women’s 800m & 1500m | Invitation & World Ranking |
This diverse lineup reflects India’s growing footprint across multiple disciplines in global athletics.
📊 Qualification Breakdown by Category
| Qualification Route | Number of Athletes | Events Covered |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Standard | 3 | Triple Jump, Steeplechase, 5000m |
| World Ranking | 10 | Javelin, Long Jump, High Jump, Race Walk |
| World Athletics Invitation | 4 | Javelin, Hurdles, Race Walk, 800m |
| Wildcard (Defending Champ) | 1 | Javelin |
| Dual Event Participants | 2 | Gulveer Singh, Pooja |
India’s strategy of leveraging wildcard entries and ranking-based qualifications has enabled broader representation across events.
🔍 Spotlight on Neeraj Chopra: Medal Hope and Leadership
Neeraj Chopra enters the Tokyo championships as the reigning world champion, having clinched gold in Budapest 2023. He also won silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics and the 2022 Eugene Worlds. Despite a second-place finish at the Zurich Diamond League Finals with a throw of 85.01m, Chopra remains India’s strongest medal contender.
| Year | Major Event | Medal Won | Best Throw (m) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Tokyo Olympics | Gold | 87.58 |
| 2022 | Eugene World Championships | Silver | 88.13 |
| 2023 | Budapest World Championships | Gold | 88.17 |
| 2024 | Paris Olympics | Silver | 87.82 |
| 2025 | Zurich Diamond League | Silver | 85.01 |
Chopra’s wildcard entry has allowed India to field three additional javelin throwers, maximizing medal potential in the discipline.
📉 Notable Absentees Due to Injury
Despite qualifying, three prominent athletes were dropped from the squad due to medical concerns:
| Athlete Name | Event | Reason for Omission |
|---|---|---|
| Avinash Sable | Men’s 3000m Steeplechase | ACL Surgery (July 2025) |
| Akshdeep Singh | Men’s 20km Race Walk | Declared medically unfit |
| Nandini Agasara | Women’s Heptathlon | Elbow injury (May 2025) |
Their absence is a setback, especially Sable, who was considered a strong medal prospect.
🔥 First-Time Entries and Emerging Talents
India will witness debut appearances in several events:
- Animesh Kujur: First Indian in men’s 200m at Worlds
- Tejas Shirse: First Indian in men’s 110m hurdles
- Pooja: Competing in both 800m and 1500m
These athletes represent the next generation of Indian track and field talent.
🧠 Expert Reactions and Expectations
| Expert Name | Role | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Adille Sumariwalla | AFI President | “We’ve built a balanced squad with medal potential.” |
| Radhakrishnan Nair | Chief National Coach | “Early acclimatization will be key in Tokyo.” |
| Dr. Rakesh Sinha | Sports Analyst | “Neeraj’s leadership will inspire the team.” |
The squad will begin a pre-training camp in Tokyo from September 4 to 9, with Chopra joining on September 5.
📌 Conclusion
India’s 19-member squad for the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo reflects a blend of experience, emerging talent, and strategic planning. Led by Neeraj Chopra, the team is poised to make a strong impact across disciplines. With four javelin throwers, multiple race walkers, and debutants in sprint and hurdle events, India’s presence at the global stage has never looked more promising.
As the countdown to Tokyo begins, all eyes will be on Chopra and his teammates to deliver performances that elevate India’s standing in world athletics.
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Disclaimer: This article is based on publicly available news reports and official statements as of September 1, 2025. It is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute sports, medical, or selection advice.
