As the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships kick off on Tuesday in Gumi, South Korea, all eyes will be on Team India as they gear up to defend their continental dominance.
With a history of strong performances at the Asian level, India enters this edition with four reigning champions returning to defend their titles — a testament to the growing consistency of Indian track and field.
🇮🇳 India’s Four Title Defenders
1. Abdulla Aboobacker – Men’s Triple Jump
The reigning champion in men’s triple jump, Abdulla Aboobacker, returns as one of India’s best bets for gold. Aboobacker has been a key figure in India’s jumping revolution, consistently breaching the 17m mark and pushing his limits on the continental stage. He will face tough competition, particularly from Chinese and Uzbek jumpers, but remains a strong favourite to retain his crown.
2. Jyothi Yarraji – Women’s 100m Hurdles
India’s queen of hurdles, Jyothi Yarraji, will look to extend her dominance in the 100m hurdles. Since becoming the first Indian woman to dip under 13 seconds in the event, Jyothi has been on a steady rise, regularly challenging the Asian elite.
Her speed off the blocks and technical refinement make her one of the most exciting athletes in this year’s lineup.
3. Parul Chaudhary – Women’s 3000m Steeplechase
Long-distance specialist Parul Chaudhary returns to defend her 3000m steeplechase title. Known for her relentless endurance and strong finishes, Parul has been India’s standout steeplechaser in recent years. With her sights also set on improving for the global stage, a successful title defence here could boost her confidence ahead of the World Championships.
4. Mixed 4x400m Relay Team
India’s mixed 4x400m relay squad will also defend its title from 2023. The team, which has emerged as a major force in Asia and even globally, has shown depth and flexibility with multiple athletes capable of stepping in and delivering split times under pressure. This event remains a showcase of India’s growing strength in the quarter-mile.
Notable Absences
While four titles will be defended, two reigning champions will not feature in Gumi:
- Ajay Kumar Saroj, the men’s 1500m gold medallist from the previous edition, is absent this time around. In his place, Yoonus Shah will lead India’s challenge in the event. Shah has shown promise on the domestic circuit, but this will be a major test of his ability to translate that form onto the continental stage.
- Tajinderpal Singh Toor, a multiple-time Asian champion and one of India’s most decorated shot putters, will also miss this edition. Toor’s absence leaves a big void in the men’s shot put event. Representing India this time is Samardeep Singh Gill, who now carries the responsibility of keeping India in medal contention in the throws.
A Mixed Bag of Experience and Opportunity
India’s campaign in Gumi will be a blend of defending champions looking to consolidate their legacy, and fresh faces looking to make their mark. The absence of experienced gold medallists like Toor and Saroj may dent the medal tally slightly, but it also offers younger athletes a shot at stepping up on the continental stage.
With the 2025 World Championships and Los Angeles 2028 on the horizon, the Asian Championships serve as a crucial stepping stone — both for medal hopes and for assessing India’s athletic depth in a high-pressure international environment.
As competition gets underway, India’s athletics fraternity will watch with hope — and expectations. The baton has been passed. Now it’s up to the next generation to keep the momentum going.
