Bhubaneswar is set to host another landmark event in India’s athletics journey. The capital of Odisha, which has fast become a hub for track and field, will welcome athletes from over 15 countries on August 10 for the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meeting.
This one-day international competition, jointly organized by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) and the Government of Odisha, will take place at the iconic Kalinga Stadium and will offer Indian athletes not just the chance for a podium finish, but also valuable world ranking points ahead of the qualification deadline for the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
AFI president Bahadur Singh Sagoo believes this event arrives at an opportune time for India’s elite and emerging athletes.
“This weekend’s Continental Tour Bronze in Bhubaneswar is a good chance for our athletes to earn global ranking points. It’s a high-quality competition that fits perfectly in the international calendar ahead of the World Championships,”
said Sagoo, addressing the media at the event’s pre-competition press conference in New Delhi.
Final Push Toward Tokyo World Championships
The 2025 World Athletics Championships will be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21, and several Indian athletes are still eyeing qualification. The deadline to qualify is August 24, making this Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar one of the final few chances to secure ranking points or qualification marks.
“More than ten Indian athletes have already qualified for Tokyo, and we expect more to make the cut in the coming days,” Sagoo confirmed.
Among those already qualified is India’s poster boy of athletics, Neeraj Chopra. The two-time Olympic medalist and reigning world champion in javelin throw is currently training in Europe. “He is focused on defending his world title in Tokyo,” said the AFI chief. Though Chopra will not be competing in Bhubaneswar, the competition offers an important stage for the country’s second-tier and upcoming athletes to step up.
90+ Indian Athletes to Compete
The Indian contingent in Bhubaneswar will number over 90, led by some of the country’s top-ranked athletes and promising young talent. Animesh Kujur, the national record holder in the men’s 200m, will be one of the star attractions. Kujur, who set the national mark earlier this season, has shown consistency throughout the year and will be looking to notch another fast time to boost his world ranking.
Middle-distance specialist Mohammad Afsal will also be a strong medal contender in the men’s 800m. Known for his ability to kick hard in the final 200m, Afsal has had a steady season and will relish the opportunity to race in front of a home crowd. In the javelin, all eyes will be on Sachin Yadav. The 24-year-old threw a personal best of 85.16m to win silver at the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships in Gumi, South Korea. With the elusive 86m mark in sight, Yadav could join the exclusive club of Indian javelin throwers to reach that distance, putting himself in firm contention for major medals at global events.
High-Quality International Participation
What elevates the Bhubaneswar meet beyond a domestic competition is the international field. Athletes from more than 15 countries will be competing, ensuring high-quality races and throws across disciplines. This raises the level of competition and provides Indian athletes with a rare opportunity to test themselves against global standards at home.
“This kind of exposure is essential for our athletes,” said Sagoo. “Competing alongside international athletes pushes performance levels and builds confidence ahead of world meets.”
The Bhubaneswar stop of the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze series also carries a total prize purse of $25,000, further incentivizing top performances.
Structuring the Meet Under World Athletics Guidelines
World Athletics has clear criteria for the structuring of Continental Tour meets, especially for one-day events at the Bronze level. The AFI president shared details of the competition’s structure, noting that World Athletics guidelines mandate at least one jumping and one throwing event and a minimum of 12 disciplines, including five for women.
“Certain disciplines couldn’t be included due to the 2-hour-30-minute limit imposed by World Athletics for one-day meetings,” said Sagoo. “But we have ensured a balanced program that gives ample opportunity to athletes across sprints, middle-distance, jumps, and throws.”
Odisha’s Rising Sports Infrastructure
Odisha has, over the past five years, steadily built a reputation as India’s athletics capital. From hosting national championships to world-class events like the Asian Athletics Championships and the Indian Grand Prix, the Kalinga Stadium has become a preferred destination for global track and field competitions.
Sachin Ramachandra Jadhav, Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Sports and Youth Services, Government of Odisha, reiterated the state’s commitment to nurturing sports infrastructure and global events.
“All preparations for the successful conduct of this global event are in place,” said Jadhav. “Odisha has the infrastructure and experience to host events of this stature. Our next aim is to bring Silver or even Gold-level Continental Tour competitions to India.”
Such ambitions reflect Odisha’s long-term sports vision one that blends talent development with international exposure and infrastructural investment.
Bridging Domestic Success with Global Aspirations
India’s track and field ecosystem has evolved rapidly in recent years. The success of Neeraj Chopra has served as a catalyst, inspiring athletes across disciplines and drawing increased investment in grassroots and elite programs. Yet, the gap between domestic dominance and global competitiveness remains a challenge in several events.
Competitions like the Continental Tour Bronze are critical to bridging that gap. They offer athletes the chance to fine-tune their performances against strong international fields, collect world ranking points, and compete in world-class conditions without having to travel overseas. Moreover, staging these meets regularly in India will give more athletes a taste of global competition early in their careers a critical factor in long-term development.
As the countdown to the Tokyo World Championships continues, all roads in Indian athletics lead to Bhubaneswar. For athletes on the bubble of qualification, Sunday’s meet could make or break their season. For younger talent, it’s a chance to impress selectors and fans alike. And for Indian athletics as a whole, the successful staging of another international event marks a step forward in its journey toward global relevance.
With more than 90 home athletes competing, 15+ nations participating, and a world-class venue ready to host, Bhubaneswar’s Continental Tour Bronze promises an exciting day of athletics one that could shape India’s contingent for Tokyo and inspire the next generation of stars.
