The 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo have concluded, and for Team India, the performances have sparked a period of introspection. While there were a few bright spots, the overall showing has been somewhat underwhelming, prompting questions about preparation, strategy, and the path forward.

India sent a 19-member contingent to Tokyo, featuring 14 men and 5 women, competing across 15 events. Expectations were high, particularly from reigning world javelin champion Neeraj Chopra. Chopra qualified for the final with a single throw of 84.85m. This was his fifth consecutive instance of qualifying with a single attempt at a major global event. However, in the final, Chopra's performance dipped, and he finished in eighth place. Sachin Yadav also made it to the javelin final. Yadav, in his first major final, initially placed second after throwing 86.27m in the first round. Ultimately, he also couldn't maintain the momentum.

Animesh Kujur became the first Indian male sprinter to compete in the 200m at the World Championships, finishing 42nd out of 52. Sarvesh Kushare made history by becoming the first Indian high jumper to qualify for a World Athletics Championships final. He finished 7th in Group B with a jump of 2.25m. In the women's 3000m steeplechase, Parul Chaudhary finished 9th in her heat with a time of 9:22.24, while Ankita Dhyani finished 11th in her heat at 10:03.22. Priyanka Goswami finished 24th in the women's 35km race walk, and Sandeep Kumar finished 23rd in the men's event; Ram Baboo was disqualified.

While Neeraj Chopra has been a consistent performer, questions arise when other athletes struggle to replicate their best performances on the world stage. Factors such as pressure, competition level, and varying conditions in Tokyo could have played a role. It's also worth noting the intense competition, with over 2000 athletes from more than 200 countries vying for medals.

Looking ahead, Indian athletics needs to address several key areas. Identifying and nurturing talent at the grassroots level is crucial. Providing athletes with access to world-class coaching, training facilities, and sports science support is essential for bridging the gap with global leaders. A data-driven approach to training, focusing on individual needs and performance analysis, can also contribute to improved results. Furthermore, mental conditioning and strategies for handling pressure situations should be integrated into training programs.