India is set for a historic outing at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, taking place from September 13 to 21. A 19-member squad, led by Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra, will represent the country in track and field events.
Chopra, who famously ended India’s wait for a World Athletics gold in Budapest 2023, will defend his javelin crown. For the first time, India will field four male javelin throwers—Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh, and Rohit Yadav. Rising sprinter Animesh Kujur has also made history as the first Indian ever to qualify for the men’s 200m event at the Championships.
This time, unlike in Budapest where India sent 28 athletes, no relay teams have qualified, trimming the squad to 19 athletes (14 men and 5 women). Other medal prospects include Murali Sreeshankar in long jump, Praveen Chithravel and Abdulla Aboobacker in triple jump, and Parul Chaudhary in the women’s 3000m steeplechase.
The selection was finalized by the Athletics Federation of India after a senior committee meeting. While Chopra remains India’s best chance for gold, the event also provides a stage for India’s upcoming stars to test themselves against the world’s best.
The complete competition schedule for India spans nine days, starting with the 35km race walk finals on September 13 and culminating with the men’s 5000m final on September 21. Key finals include Chopra’s javelin showdown on September 18 at 15:53 IST, women’s javelin on September 20, and the much-anticipated track finals in the last two days.
Tokyo 2025 promises to be a defining moment for Indian athletics, balancing experience with fresh faces in pursuit of medals.
Day 1 – Sept 13: 04:30 IST – Men’s & Women’s 35km Race Walk Final; 16:20 IST – Women’s 1500m Heats
Day 2 – Sept 14: 15:10 IST – Men’s High Jump Qualification; 17:35 IST – Women’s 1500m Semi-Finals; 18:00 IST – Men’s 10,000m Final
Day 3 – Sept 15: 05:45 IST – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Heats; 16:10 IST – Men’s Long Jump Qualification; 16:50 IST – Men’s 110m Hurdles Heats
Day 4 – Sept 16: 17:05 IST – Men’s High Jump Final; 17:10 IST – Men’s 110m Hurdles Semi-Finals; 18:35 IST – Women’s 1500m Final; 18:50 IST – Men’s 110m Hurdles Final
Day 5 – Sept 17: 15:35 IST – Men’s Triple Jump Qualification; 15:40 IST – Men’s Javelin Qualification (Group A); 16:45 IST – Men’s 200m Heats; 17:15 IST – Men’s Javelin Qualification (Group B); 17:20 IST – Men’s Long Jump Final; 18:27 IST – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase Final
Day 6 – Sept 18: 15:53 IST – Men’s Javelin Final; 16:25 IST – Women’s 800m Heats; 17:32 IST – Men’s 200m Semi-Final; 18:15 IST – Men’s 800m Semi-Final
Day 7 – Sept 19: 16:35 IST – Men’s 5000m Heats; 17:15 IST – Women’s 800m Semi-Final; 17:20 IST – Men’s Triple Jump Final; 18:36 IST – Men’s 200m Final
Day 8 – Sept 20: 04:00 IST – Women’s 20km Race Walk Final; 06:20 IST – Men’s 20km Race Walk Final; 17:35 IST – Women’s Javelin Final; 17:59 IST – Women’s 5000m Final; 18:52 IST – Men’s 800m Final
Day 9 – Sept 21: 16:05 IST – Women’s 800m Final; 16:20 IST – Men’s 5000m Final