Neeraj Chopra, the reigning world javelin champion, will spearhead India's 19-member squad at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo from September 13 to 21. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) made the announcement on Sunday.
For the first time ever, India will have four representatives in the men's javelin event at the World Athletics Championships. Chopra, who secured a wild card entry as the defending champion, will be joined by Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh, and Rohit Yadav. Rohit Yadav received an invitation following the withdrawal of Spanish thrower Manu Quijera.
The Indian squad consists of 14 men and five women across 15 events. Annu Rani, the 2023 Asian Games women's javelin champion, is among the five women in the squad.
Other athletes who qualified directly for the championships include steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, triple jumper Praveen Chithravel, and middle-distance runner Gulveer Singh. Gulveer Singh, the national record holder in the 5,000m and 10,000m, and Pooja will attempt a double in the women's 800m/1,500m.
Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar secured his spot based on world ranking after returning from knee surgery last year. Animesh Kujur will participate in his first 200m race on the global stage.
Several athletes who qualified for the championships will be absent due to medical reasons. Avinash Sable, the Asian Games champion and national record holder in the 3000m steeplechase, is recovering from ACL surgery. Nandini Agasara, who qualified as the Asian champion in heptathlon, is still recovering from an elbow injury. Race walker Akshdeep Singh is also medically unfit.
This year, India failed to qualify for any relay events. In 2023, India sent a contingent of 28 athletes to Hungary, which included seven relay racers.
The Indian squad for the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo includes:
The World Athletics Championships will be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21.
