India's race walkers faced a challenging start at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, with Ram Baboo's disqualification in the 35km race walk being a significant setback. The event, which took place on Saturday, September 13, saw national record holder Ram Baboo being disqualified after receiving four red cards.

In race walking, athletes can be disqualified if they receive four red cards during the race. Judges inspect the race and carry paddles with symbols for loss of contact or a bent knee. An athlete who gets three red cards from three different judges must enter a penalty zone for 3 minutes and 30 seconds. A fourth red card results in disqualification. Ram Baboo had already served his time in the penalty box before receiving his fourth red card, leading to his disqualification. He was among six race walkers disqualified in the men's 35km event.

Sandeep Kumar, the other Indian athlete in the men's 35km race walk, finished 23rd with a time of 2:39:15. In the women's 35km race walk, Priyanka Goswami finished 24th with a time of 3:05:58. Goswami also received three red cards and spent 3 minutes and 30 seconds in the penalty box, but avoided a fourth red card to finish the race.

The conditions in Tokyo were challenging, with high heat and humidity affecting the athletes' timings. Only 34 of the 50 men and 38 of the 47 women who started the 35km race walk were able to complete the race.

Evan Dunfee of Canada won the gold medal in the men's 35km race walk with a time of 2:28:22, while Maria Perez of Spain won the gold medal in the women's 35km race walk with a time of 2:39:01.

Despite the disappointing results in the 35km race walk, India's athletes are committed to improving in endurance events on the world stage. The experience gained from competing against elite race walkers will be valuable as they prepare for future international events.