The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has unveiled a formidable squad for the Asian Athletics Championships 2025, scheduled to be held in May.
After a memorable outing at the last edition, where India bagged 6 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze medals, the country will look to better its tally with a blend of experienced stars and exciting young talent.
In the 2023 Championships, India’s gold medals came in men’s 1500m, men’s triple jump, men’s shot put, women’s 100m hurdles, women’s 3000m steeplechase, and the 4x400m mixed relay.
The performances fueled optimism that Indian athletics is entering its strongest phase yet—and 2025 is another step forward.
Women’s Squad Overview
Track Events
- Sprints and Middle Distance:
- Nithya Gandhe (200m), Rupal Chaudhary and Vithya Ramraj (400m) will headline the sprints section.
- Middle-distance events will see Twinkle Chaudhary and Pooja tackle the 800m, while Lili Das and Pooja also feature in the 1500m.
- Long Distance and Steeplechase:
- Parul Chaudhary, who famously won the 3000m steeplechase gold last time, will contest both the steeplechase and 5000m alongside Ankita and Sanjivani Jadhav.
- Sanjivani Jadhav and Seema will represent India in the grueling 10,000m event.
- Hurdles:
- Jyothi Yarraji, Indian record holder, will lead the charge in 100m hurdles—a gold-winning event for India in 2023.
- In the 400m hurdles, Vithya Ramraj and Anu Raghavan bring strength and depth.
Field Events
- Long Jump and High Jump:
- Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan will represent India in the long jump, both serious medal contenders.
- Pooja Singh will compete in the high jump.
- Throws:
- Seema returns for the discus throw, while Annu Rani leads the javelin throw contingent with high hopes.
- Heptathlon:
- Agasara Nandini will take on the demanding heptathlon event.
Relays
- 4x100m Relay:
- A young and dynamic team comprising Nithya, Abinaya, Sneha SS, Srabani, Sudheeksha, and T Dhaneshwari will compete.
- 4x400m Relay:
- Rupal, Sneha K, Subha V, Jisna Mathew, K Rajitha, and Sandramol Sabu form a strong 4x400m team.
Men’s Squad Overview
Track Events
- Sprints and Middle Distance:
- Animesh Kujur (200m), and Anu Kumar and Krishan Kumar (800m) are expected to be among India’s fastest men.
- Yoonus Shah will take the baton in the 1500m, an event India won last time.
- Long Distance and Steeplechase:
- Avinash Sable, India’s record-holder and steeplechase specialist, leads the 3000m SC lineup.
- Gulveer Singh and Abhishek Pal will tackle the 5000m, while Gulveer Singh also competes in the 10,000m with Sawan Barwal.
Field Events
- Triple Jump and High Jump:
- A powerful triple jump team with Praveen Chithravel and Abdulla Aboobacker, both capable of podium finishes.
- Sarvesh Kushare will take part in high jump.
- Throws:
- Samardeep Singh represents India in shot put, looking to continue India’s gold-winning tradition.
- In the javelin throw, Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh step up in the absence of Neeraj Chopra.
- Decathlon:
- Versatile athlete Tejaswin Shankar will compete in decathlon, adding strength to India’s multisport representation.
Racewalking
- 20km Racewalk:
- Amit Khatri and Servin Sebastian will be India’s bets in racewalking.
Relays
- 4x100m Relay:
- An energetic sprint relay team includes Pranav, Animesh, Manikanta, Amlan, Tamil Rasu, Ragul, and Gurindervir.
- 4x400m Relay:
- A strong lineup with Vishal TK, Jay Kumar, Manu TS, Prince Joseph, Santosh T, Tushar, Mohit, and Dharambir will contest the 4x400m.
Major Storylines to Watch
- Parul Chaudhary Eyes Title Defense:
After winning the gold in women’s 3000m steeplechase, Parul returns with greater confidence. She remains one of India’s best distance runners.
- Sable Leads Men’s Distance Pack:
Although Sable didn’t win the gold at the last Asian meet, he remains a top contender across steeplechase and long-distance events. His clash with Asia’s best will be a highlight. - New Generation Rising:
Athletes like Nithya Gandhe, Twinkle Chaudhary, and Animesh Kujur are making their senior-level breakthroughs and could surprise with podium finishes. - Relay Teams Ready to Dominate:
India’s 4x400m relay teams (both men’s and women’s) are traditionally strong, and with a deep bench, they are among the gold medal favorites again. - Field Events’ Golden Hopes:
India’s strength in men’s triple jump, women’s long jump, and men’s shot put looks solid. Expect medal hauls from these fields.
The Indian contingent for the Asian Athletics Championships 2025 is one of the most balanced and exciting squads the country has fielded.
With experienced campaigners and young talent working together, expectations are naturally high.
If India matches its previous medal haul—or even surpasses it—it will be a testament to the rising stature of Indian athletics globally, setting the stage perfectly ahead of the 2025 World Championships and the ultimate goal: Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
All eyes will be on the blue track of Asia, and India’s tricolor will surely fly high once again.
