The 35km race walk at the World Athletics Championships has steadily grown in prestige as a test of endurance, technique, and mental resilience.
This year, India enters the competition with three determined athletes Ram Baboo, Priyanka Goswami, and Sandeep Kumar with each carrying unique credentials, aspirations, and the weight of expectations. While medals will require an extraordinary performances against a field stacked with world-class race walkers, the trio arrives with the belief that steady progress on the global stage can translate into results. Among the men, Ram Baboo stands out as India’s national record holder in the 35km race walk. He set the record at 2:29:56, becoming the first Indian to dip under the 2 hours 30 minutes mark in the distance. His current season-best stands at 2:32:54, reflecting solid preparation and consistency in 2025.
Ram Baboo has prior World Championships experience, having competed in the 2023 edition where he finished 27th with a time of 2:39:07. While that performance kept him outside the leading group, it gave him valuable exposure to the demands of racing at the highest level against seasoned competitors. The challenge before him in this year’s field is steep.
The 2023 World medalists Álvaro Martín (2:24:30), Brian Daniel Pintado (2:24:34), and Masatora Kawano (2:25:12) set a blistering pace that remains well ahead of Indian benchmarks. Even more daunting are the current season leaders: Massimo Stano (2:20:43), Evan Dunfee (2:21:40), and Vasiliy Mizinov (2:22:56). For Ram, narrowing the gap and targeting a top-15 finish could be a realistic step forward, while any further improvement on his national record would be a significant achievement.
Priyanka Goswami: Building Momentum in Women’s 35km
India’s strongest presence in women’s race walking comes through Priyanka Goswami, who recently set the national record in the 35km distance with a time of 2:56:34. This is also her season-best, marking an important milestone as she transitions smoothly into the extended distance after competing in the 20km for much of her early career. Priyanka represented India at the Paris Olympics, where she competed in the 20km race walk and finished 41st. Her decision to target the longer 35km has opened new opportunities, and her NR demonstrates her growing ability to sustain rhythm and efficiency over a longer duration.
Globally, however, the women’s event is dominated by some of the sport’s most consistent performers. At the 2023 Worlds, María Pérez stormed to gold in 2:38:40, followed by Kimberly García León (2:40:52) and Antigoni Ntrismpioti (2:43:22). The 2025 season leaders are equally formidable: Pérez (2:38:59), Antonella Palmisano (2:39:35), and China’s Li Ma (2:40:49). Priyanka’s current times remain more than 15 minutes adrift of this leading pack, but her progress is encouraging.
A performance close to or better than her national record would mark advancement, while exposure to the world’s best in race conditions could prepare her for bigger breakthroughs in the coming years.
Sandeep Kumar: Experienced Campaigner with Podium Pedigree
The Indian men’s team also features Sandeep Kumar, one of the country’s most experienced race walkers. A 2022 Commonwealth Games bronze medalist, Sandeep has repeatedly shown the ability to deliver on big stages. His season-best of 2:35:06 indicates steady form, though he remains a few minutes shy of the leading times globally. Like Ram Baboo, Sandeep will have to measure himself against the very best, including the 2023 medalists Martín, Pintado, and Kawano, as well as this year’s leaders Stano, Dunfee, and Mizinov. His experience, however, provides him an edge in managing race strategy, conserving energy, and executing a strong finish.
A top-20 placement would be a realistic target, and a new personal best could reinforce his place as a consistent international contender.
The 35km race walk, though relatively new compared to the traditional 20km and 50km formats, has already seen world-class performances that push the boundaries of endurance. With men clocking times in the 2:20–2:23 range and women consistently finishing under 2:41, the standard for podium contention continues to rise. For India, where race walking has steadily gained traction over the last decade, the challenge lies in bridging this gap. Athletes like Ram, Priyanka, and Sandeep are laying the groundwork, setting national benchmarks, and showing the ability to qualify consistently for global events. The next step will be turning participation into competitive contention.
While medal contention may remain out of immediate reach in this edition, there are still meaningful targets for India’s walkers:
- National Record pursuit: Ram and Priyanka both have a chance to lower their NR times further.
- Top-15 finishes: Consistency and smart pacing could place Indian athletes within the world’s top tier.
- Learning curve: Facing the likes of Martín, Pérez, and Stano provides exposure that can accelerate growth.
Moreover, India’s broader investment in endurance sports, combined with scientific training support, is beginning to show. Performances in recent years at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games suggest that with sustained development, the gap with global leaders can be reduced.
As the World Athletics Championships 35km race walk approaches, Ram Baboo, Priyanka Goswami, and Sandeep Kumar carry India’s hopes. Each brings different strengths Ram with his national record, Priyanka with her breakthrough in women’s walking, and Sandeep with his international experience.
The competition will be fierce, with world leaders producing times well ahead of Indian marks. Yet the significance of their participation lies not just in chasing medals but in building India’s presence in a demanding discipline. Every step closer to the global elite, every personal or national record bettered, takes Indian race walking forward. For now, the trio prepares to line up against the very best, determined to test themselves and, in doing so, add another chapter to India’s growing journey in athletics.
