India’s national record holder and Asian Games champion Annu Rani delivered her best performance in nearly a year, hurling the javelin to a season-best distance of 62.59m to claim gold at the 8th International Wiesław Maniak Memorial, a World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze event held in Szczecin, Poland.
In what can only be described as a return to elite form, the 31-year-old produced not just one, but three throws over the 60m mark an encouraging sign ahead of a packed domestic and international calendar that includes the Continental Tour Bronze meet in Bhubaneswar and the Inter-State Nationals in Chennai, both key stepping stones toward the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
A Commanding Series
Rani opened her account with a confident 60.95m already one of her best throws of the season. But she went even better in her second attempt, reaching 62.59m, her longest throw since her Asian Games gold-winning effort in October 2023.
Her full series at the event read: 60.95m, 62.59m, 59.89m, X, 55.66m, 60.07m
With three 60m+ throws and the fifth-best distance of her career, Annu showed both consistency and power two aspects that had been missing from her recent performances. Prior to this event, she had recorded only one 60m+ throw in 2024, leaving questions about her form and readiness for global competition.
Return to Form at the Right Time
For Annu Rani, this performance comes at a crucial juncture in the season. With the qualification deadline for the 2025 World Championships set for August 24, every meet now counts not just in terms of distances thrown, but also ranking points earned through performances at Continental Tour events.
Her 62.59m throw moves her up to 14th in the 2025 world top list, significantly improving her chances of securing direct qualification for the Tokyo Worlds. This is especially important in a year when global standards in women’s javelin have risen considerably, with the likes of Haruka Kitaguchi (Japan), Victoria Hudson (Austria), and Mackenzie Little (Australia) all consistently breaching the 63–65m mark.
Annu’s latest throw, just shy of the 64.00m automatic qualification mark, puts her back in the conversation among the world’s top 15 and positions her well for a third consecutive appearance at the World Championships.
One of the most heartening takeaways from Annu’s performance in Poland was her technical consistency. Her three best throws 62.59m, 60.95m, and 60.07m now stand as her top three throws in 2025. In fact, these are also among her top four throws since October 2023, further underlining the significance of her outing.
While the fourth and fifth attempts dipped (one being a foul and the other under 56m), her ability to regroup and finish with another 60m+ throw in the final round highlighted her mental resilience and match-day composure qualities that will be essential when facing the pressure of global championships.
The Road Ahead: Bhubaneswar & Chennai
Annu Rani’s next competitive stops will be on home soil. She will compete at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet at Bhubaneswar’s Kalinga Stadium on August 10, a crucial event where global points and rankings are once again on offer.
Following that, she is expected to line up at the Inter-State Athletics Championships in Chennai, where she will face domestic competition and potentially secure her national title defense. These back-to-back meets are not just preparation for the Worlds they’re also critical opportunities to fine-tune technique, manage load, and build confidence before taking on the world’s best in Tokyo.
From Setbacks to Surges
Annu Rani’s resurgence is particularly commendable given the injury setbacks and inconsistent results that have followed her 2023 Asian Games triumph. A dip in form during early 2024, combined with the rising performances of her global competitors, had raised questions about whether she could maintain her status as India’s leading female javelin thrower.
But if Szczecin was anything to go by, Annu has emphatically answered those doubts. Her rhythm, release, and competitive spirit were all on display attributes that have defined her career over the last decade.
Her recent throw of 62.59m is now the fifth-best of her career, joining an elite list that includes her national record of 63.24m set in 2022. That throw had made her the first Indian woman to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships a historic bronze in Eugene. With her form trending upwards once again, she will look to replicate or better that performance at the upcoming Worlds in Tokyo.
A Beacon for Indian Athletics
Annu’s performance is also a massive boost for Indian athletics, particularly in the throws discipline, which has seen increased interest following Neeraj Chopra’s success in the men’s javelin. While Chopra remains India’s global figurehead in the sport, Annu’s continued excellence reinforces the depth and potential in India’s throwing ranks. Her comeback to top-level performance can also serve as an inspiration for younger athletes, especially in women’s field events, where role models are still limited on the global stage.
With a season-best of 62.59m, three throws over 60m, and a win at a WACT Bronze event in Europe, Annu Rani has made a clear statement she is not just back, but back among the elite. As the clock ticks toward Tokyo, the Indian javelin ace seems ready to mount a serious challenge on the world stage once again.
The next two weeks will be crucial. But if her throw in Szczecin is anything to go by, Annu Rani’s spear is once again flying with purpose, power, and precision.
Upcoming Events for Annu Rani
🔹 Aug 10 – WACT Bronze: Continental Tour Bhubaneswar
🔹 Aug 15-18 – Inter-State Athletics Championships, Chennai
🔹 Sept 13-21 – World Athletics Championships, Tokyo (TBC)
