India's contingent for World Athletics Championships 2025: Neeraj Chopra headlines, other names to watchout for

India's contingent for World Athletics Championships 2025 (Source: X)

Neeraj Chopra will once again lead India’s charge at the World Athletics Championships 2025, later this month, while young sprinter Animesh Kujur created history by becoming the first-ever Indian sprinter to qualify for the prestigious event.

The Athletics Federation of India on Sunday unveiled the 19-member squad, which includes 14 men and five women set to compete across 15 different events. Both Gulveer Singh and Pooja are slated to feature in two events each, adding to the depth of India’s participation.

Athletes earned their berths either by surpassing the tough qualification standards or through the global rankings quota fixed by World Athletics, which ensures final entries are capped.

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India's Javelin contingent

As the reigning world champion, Chopra received a guaranteed wild card slot, though he had already surpassed the qualifying standard of 85.50m earlier this season. He will have strong company in the men’s javelin throw, with Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh making the cut via world rankings. Rohit Yadav was later added to the list after gaining an invitation spot.

“I’m very happy that finally I’ll compete at such a big level after injury,” Rohit told the correspondent. “After the gold at the Interstate Championship in Chennai, I thought I would get a direct qualification through ranking points, but when I saw 37th position after the World Athletics ranking update, I thought it would be tough for me.”

“But when I found out that a Spanish thrower is not going to participate and my name featured, I got happy as I missed the Budapest World Championship in 2023 due elbow injury despite qualifying,” said the 24-year-old athlete from Uttar Pradesh.

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For the first time in history, India will see four representatives in a single event at the World Championships. Normally, nations are restricted to three athletes per event, but a defending champion’s wild card allows a fourth entry.

Javelin veteran Annu Rani also booked her ticket thanks to a string of strong throws. She crossed the 60m barrier for the first time in over a year during a meet in Poland, where she triumphed with a 62.59m attempt – her best performance in more than two years.

The 32-year-old feels her peak is still ahead of her and is saving her best form for Tokyo. “I’ll give it everything I have. Right now, I’m regularly crossing the 60m mark, but my goal is to reach my highest level at the World Championships. I believe this time will be different,” she said in an exclusive conversation.

Why Avinash Sable won't be taking part?

Several late invitations were extended due to withdrawals by higher-ranked athletes, which also benefitted India. Among direct qualifiers through entry marks were Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase), Parul Chaudhary (3000m steeplechase), Gulveer Singh (5000m), and Praveen Chitravel (triple jump).

However, India faced setbacks too. Sable was forced to pull out after an injury ended his season prematurely, while heptathlete Nandini Agasara, who earned her place as Asian (Area) champion, will also miss out as she continues to recover from an elbow problem. Gulveer, meanwhile, secured an additional spot in the 10000m following an invitation.

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Why India's contingent appear promising?

A total of 12 athletes sealed qualification via world rankings. Among them, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar made a remarkable return after more than a year on the sidelines, winning all five competitions he contested this season.

With Chopra at the helm and several in-form names like Sreeshankar, Annu Rani, Parul Chaudhary and Praveen Chitravel in the mix, India will arrive in Tokyo with one of its most balanced and promising contingents yet.

The tournament will take place at the Japan National Stadium, Tokyo, between September 13-21.