With the updated Road to Tokyo rankings now out, Indian athletics finds itself in a promising position ahead of the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
A mix of established names and emerging talents have secured their spots through the World Athletics ranking pathway, while a handful of others remain agonizingly close, awaiting potential withdrawals that could open up slots. The rankings, based on the average of an athlete’s five best performances within the qualification window, have once again highlighted both the resilience and limitations of India’s track and field ecosystem.
The Qualifiers from India
Men’s Events
Murali Sreeshankar – Long Jump (36th, 1196 pts)
Perhaps the most inspiring story from the Indian camp is that of long jumper Murali Sreeshankar. Coming back from a career-threatening injury in 2024, Sreeshankar managed to squeeze into the Tokyo-bound list at exactly 36th position the last qualifying spot.
What makes his qualification even more remarkable is that he competed in only five meets, the bare minimum required, due to his prolonged absence. Each performance had to count, and it did. For an athlete who has previously flirted with the 8.40m mark, this comeback is a statement of resilience.
Sarvesh Kushare – High Jump (34th, 1173 pts)
Another athlete who has battled inconsistency over the years, Sarvesh secured his ticket at 34th. Known for clearing heights around 2.25m, his ranking reflects steady competition rather than a single standout performance. With the global high jump field extremely competitive, Tokyo presents a chance for Sarvesh to translate promise into progression.
Animesh Kujur – 200m (41st/48)
The sprinting circuit in India has often been starved of breakthrough performances, but Animesh Kujur’s qualification provides some relief. At 41st, he is among the last entries in the men’s 200m. His journey to this point has been built on consistency multiple sub-21 second runs this season and a national record earlier in the year. His qualification makes him the first Indian male sprinter to secure a World Championships berth in the 200m, a landmark in itself.
Javelin Throw – Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav (20th), Yashvir Singh (31st)
India’s depth in javelin is once again on display. Neeraj Chopra qualifies as defending champion, while youngsters Sachin and Yashvir enter via rankings. Sachin’s rise to 20th reflects his impressive showing at the Interstate Championships, where he threw beyond 83m. Yashvir too capitalized on steady performances in the 82m range. Together, they underline India’s growing dominance in the event.
Abdulla Aboobacker – Triple Jump (28th/36)
With Praveen Chitravel already in via entry standard, Abdulla’s ranking-based qualification strengthens India’s position in triple jump. The Asian silver medalist has maintained 16.70m-plus jumps and will now look to challenge the world’s best.
Race Walking – Servin Sebastian (34th), Akshdeep Singh (47th), Ram Baboo (50th)
Race walking remains one of India’s most consistent qualifying disciplines. Servin and Akshdeep’s spots in the men’s 20km race walk were confirmed comfortably within the quota, while Ram Baboo just squeezed in at 50th in the 35km category. These qualifications keep alive India’s long-standing tradition of fielding competitive walkers at global meets.
Women’s Events
Pooja – 1500m (49th/56)
A rising middle-distance runner, Pooja clinched her spot in the 1500m. Ranking 49th, she made the cut despite narrowly missing out in her secondary event, the 800m, where she currently sits one place outside qualification. Her versatility across distances makes her one to watch.
Ankita Dhyani – 3000m Steeplechase (35th/36)
One of India’s most improved athletes in 2025, Ankita ensured a dramatic qualification in steeplechase. Sitting 35th out of 36, she showed great tactical maturity at the Interstate meet, where her time improved her average score and pushed her above the line.
Annu Rani – Javelin Throw (22nd)
The veteran remains a pillar of Indian women’s athletics. Having steadily thrown in the 59–61m range, Annu secured her spot comfortably. Though not in her career-best shape, her experience is invaluable in major championships.
Priyanka Goswami – 35km Race Walk (33rd/59)
India’s national record holder in race walking, Priyanka booked her ticket at 33rd. With years of global competition under her belt, her qualification comes as little surprise.
The Near Misses
For every celebration, there are heartbreaks. A handful of Indian athletes find themselves just outside the quota and will now wait anxiously for potential withdrawals.
- Rohit Yadav (Javelin, 37th/36): Despite winning gold and throwing a personal best at the Interstate Championships, Rohit fell just one spot short. Given the nature of withdrawals in javelin, his chances of sneaking in remain strong.
- Tejas Shirse (110m Hurdles, 42nd/40): India’s top sprint hurdler sits two places outside. With a series of sub-13.50 runs this season, he has done everything within his control.
- Sandeep Kumar (35km RW, 51st/50): The veteran race walker is just one place out. His consistency over the years means any withdrawal above could bring him back into contention.
- Paramjeet Singh Bisht (20km RW, 51st/50): Much like Sandeep, Paramjeet’s fate depends on one athlete ahead pulling out.
- Pooja (800m, 57th/56): After qualifying in 1500m, she fell just short in her preferred 800m event. If she makes it, India could see her double in Tokyo.
- Gulveer Singh (10000m, 28th/27): Already qualified in the 5000m via entry standard, Gulveer narrowly missed the longer distance.
What the Rankings Tell Us
The Road to Tokyo rankings are based on a points system where the average of an athlete’s top five performances is considered. For athletes like Sreeshankar, who had only five competitions due to injury, every single meet became decisive.
Others, such as Rohit Yadav and Tejas Shirse, showcased excellent individual peaks but could not average high enough to break into the final cut.
It also highlights the growing depth in Indian athletics. Events like men’s javelin, triple jump, and race walking now feature multiple Indian athletes in the global top-50 a testament to systematic progress in these disciplines. At the same time, areas like sprints and hurdles remain on the fringes, where consistent exposure and international competition could convert near-misses into qualifications in future cycles.
The Athletics Federation of India will now communicate with World Athletics about possible withdrawals, with an updated list expected in the coming week. For athletes like Rohit, Tejas, and Sandeep, the wait continues. Their qualification hopes hinge not on performance anymore, but on luck.
For those who have booked their tickets, the focus shifts to preparation. The Tokyo World Championships promise to be a high-stakes stage, and for India, it represents another opportunity to consolidate its presence in field events while nurturing new track contenders.
Above all, the story of this qualification phase is one of resilience. From Sreeshankar’s comeback to Pooja’s breakthrough and Ankita’s last-minute surge, Indian athletics continues to deliver narratives that inspire confidence in the country’s Olympic journey ahead.
