Let’s Explore India at World Athletics Championships 2025 in Detail
I know entire momentum is tilted towards Asia Cup and most importantly Indo-Pak Game on 14th September 2025(Despite Boycott Sentiments) and PKL(Pro Kabaddi League) other popular Kabaddi Tournament based in India where the best players in the business compete against each other for distinct franchise.
There is not enough buzz for World Athletics Championships which will start from today till 21st September 2025, here in this article we will dwell deep into Indian players who will be competing in this marquee event, some most important clash and miscellaneous information to be shared in the below format:

1. 19 Member Contingents will be taking part in the ongoing marquee event across 15 events will feature some of the Top stars include- Neeraj Chopra and Animesh Kujur.
2. Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh will be part of Indian Javelin Squad in one event at World Championships.
3. Animesh Kujur is the first Indian Male Sprinter ever to Qualify for World Championships, after breaking both 100m and 200m national records this year.
4. Other Top Name which include- Murali Sreeshankar (Long Jump), Annu Rani(Javelin Throw), Triple Jumper which include- Abdulla Aboobacker and Parveen Chithravel, Steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary and Hurdler Tejas Shirse.
5. Ram Baboo , Priyanka Goswami and Pooja will be competing track and field events where they would to make an impact in the marquee event.
6. It would be interesting to see how will they fare in the ongoing marquee event.
| Category | Information |
|---|
| Contingent Size | 19-member Indian team competing across 15 events. |
| Star Athletes | Neeraj Chopra, Animesh Kujur. |
| Javelin Squad | Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, Yashvir Singh. |
| Historic Feat | Animesh Kujur – first Indian male sprinter to qualify for World Championships; broke national 100m & 200m records this year. |
| Other Top Names | Murali Sreeshankar (Long Jump); Annu Rani (Javelin Throw); Abdulla Aboobacker & Parveen Chithravel (Triple Jump); Parul Chaudhary (Steeplechase); Tejas Shirse (Hurdles). |
| Track & Field Competitors | Ram Baboo, Priyanka Goswami, Pooja. |
| Dates of Event | 13 September – 21 September 2025. |
| Venue | Tokyo, Japan – mainly Japan National Stadium. |
| Total Events | 49 events on the programme, with 147 medals to be awarded over nine days. |
| India’s Medal Target / Hope | India has historically won 3 medals at the World Championships so far. Neeraj Chopra is the primary realistic medal hope in 2025; other athletes are seen as promising but less certain contenders. |
| Previous Edition (2023, Budapest) | Neeraj Chopra won India’s first-ever gold at the World Championships in Javelin Throw. Kishore Jena finished 5th in Javelin, Murali Sreeshankar 6th in Long Jump, and Parul Chaudhary 11th in 3000m Steeplechase Final – India’s best overall finish to date. |
The most important contest would be another Indo-Pak Clash Between Arshad Nadeem and Neeraj Chopra on 18th September 2025 if they qualify for final round and considering their past record it won’t be difficult for them to qualify.
Neeraj after 2024 Paris Olympics where he finished as Silver medalist since then India’s Top athlete have picked and choose several events and the best thing about him, he has won all those tournaments either gold or silver.
On the other end, we have hardly seen Arshad Nadeem Participating in any event post 2024 olympics it would be intreresting to see how will he fare when it mattered the most.
Arshad Nadeem have already clocked Javelin at a distance of 92 meter on the other end, Neeraj too have breached 90 meter mark so that would make contest even much better.
On the other end, it would be interesting to see how Animesh Kujur plays considering his consistent record in last few months.
Whether he would be able to deliver at the same wavelength considering stakes are high in World Athletics Championships whether he succumb to the pressure only time will tell.
You can catch them live in Action on Star Sports Channel and the same would be stream on Jiohotstar app.
Q1. Who are the top Indian athletes to watch at the World Athletics Championships 2025?
India is sending one of its most diverse and competitive contingents ever to the World Athletics Championships 2025. The spotlight naturally falls on Neeraj Chopra, India’s golden boy of athletics. Chopra has not only been an Olympic champion but also the first Indian to secure a gold medal . He has consistently raised the bar in javelin throw, and his presence alone elevates the expectations of Indian fans. Leading the Indian javelin squad, Chopra will be joined by Sachin Yadav, Rohit Yadav, and Yashvir Singh, who bring depth and strength to an event where India has emerged as a global powerhouse.
Another historic highlight of this year’s contingent is Animesh Kujur, who has scripted a new chapter in Indian athletics. By qualifying for both the 100m and 200m sprint events, Kujur has become the first Indian male sprinter to ever participate at the World Championships. This achievement reflects not only his individual brilliance but also the steady progress of sprinting in a country traditionally dominated by field events. Breaking national records in both sprint categories earlier this year, Kujur’s inclusion is symbolic of India’s expanding horizons in athletics.
The Indian team also boasts names in the jumps category, most notably Murali Sreeshankar, a consistent long jumper who has competed in global finals and carries the potential to deliver a breakthrough performance. In the women’s section, Annu Rani continues to represent India in the javelin throw, aiming to replicate her past successes at the Asian level on the global stage.
The triple jump team is another area of promise, led by Abdulla Aboobacker and Parveen Chithravel, both of whom have been improving steadily in international meets. In middle-distance and endurance races, Parul Chaudhary in steeplechase and Tejas Shirse in hurdles will be key names to follow. Their participation indicates India’s growing representation across events where the country historically had little presence.
Additionally, race walkers Ram Baboo, Priyanka Goswami, and Pooja form part of the contingent, representing disciplines that demand endurance, consistency, and strategy.
Q2. Why is Animesh Kujur’s qualification considered historic for India?
For decades, sprinting has remained a distant dream for Indian athletics. While the nation has produced medal winners in javelin, discus, and walking events, it has rarely had representation in the sprints on the biggest stage. This is where Animesh Kujur’s achievement stands out. In 2025, Kujur broke both the national records in the 100m and 200m, clocking times that finally put an Indian sprinter within the qualifying marks for the World Athletics Championships.
By becoming the first Indian male sprinter to qualify for the Championships, Kujur has broken a long-standing barrier. His qualification is historic not only because it marks a new milestone but also because it paves the way for future sprinters. Sprinting requires exceptional technique, explosive power, and consistency — qualities that Indian athletics has often lacked the infrastructure to nurture. Kujur’s progress shows that with the right blend of training, exposure, and self-belief, Indians can compete in events traditionally dominated by athletes from the Americas, Europe, and the Caribbean.
Beyond the numbers, Kujur’s qualification has also inspired a new generation. For young athletes across India, especially those training in smaller centers, his story proves that sprinting dreams are achievable. While a podium finish may still be a long shot this year, his mere presence in Tokyo represents a monumental step for Indian track and field history.
Q3. What are India’s medal prospects at the World Championships 2025?
Before 2023, the nation had never won a gold medal at the event. That changed when Neeraj Chopra clinched gold in Budapest, becoming a symbol of Indian excellence on the global stage. As the 2025 Championships unfold in Tokyo, Chopra once again emerges as India’s strongest medal contender. With consistent throws crossing the 88–90m mark, he remains among the world’s elite javelin throwers. For Indian fans, the expectation is clear: Chopra is the best bet for a podium finish.
However, medal prospects extend beyond Chopra, even if they are slim. Murali Sreeshankar in the long jump has reached global finals in the past . Annu Rani, in the women’s javelin, brings experience and has previously won medals at continental championships. Similarly, triple jumpers Abdulla Aboobacker and Parveen Chithravel have shown potential by performing consistently in Asian competitions, though breaking into the global top three will require career-best efforts.
In track events, Animesh Kujur’s debut is unlikely to yield a medal this time, but his qualification itself is a historic win for Indian athletics. Race walkers like Priyanka Goswami and Ram Baboo also aim to make a mark, although medals may not be within immediate reach.
Overall, India’s realistic medal hopes center on Neeraj Chopra, while the rest of the contingent will focus on personal bests, qualification to finals, and gaining exposure. Even if India does not return with multiple medals, the broader significance of this contingent lies in the representation across 15 events and the gradual building of a culture that prioritizes athletics at par with cricket or kabaddi.
India have done pretty well in last few years especially track and field events it would be interesting to see how they would fare in the upcoming event, also whether they would be able to replicate the same kind of consistency considering the magnitude of tournament.



