As the Indian athletics contingent boarded their flight to Gumi, South Korea, this week for the 2025 Asian Athletics Championships it wasn’t just another international tour. This was a statement of intent.
A 65-member Indian team, boasting a potent mix of proven champions, rising stars, and debutants with fearless ambition, departed to contest the 26th Asian Athletics Championships from May 27–31—an event that now carries more weight than ever.
The Championships, a premier event in the Asian calendar, come less than a year after the Paris Olympics and serve as a major stepping stone towards the 2025 World Championships and ultimately the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
India, fresh from its 27-medal haul in Bangkok 2023 (6 gold, 12 silver, 9 bronze), is aiming to surpass that benchmark—and the expectations have never been higher.
The New Spearhead: Sachin Yadav’s Quiet Revolution
Amidst a squad packed with headline-makers, the quiet emergence of Sachin Yadav as India’s leading javelin thrower in Neeraj Chopra’s absence might just be the most compelling subplot. Tall, broad-shouldered, and intense, the 25-year-old from Uttar Pradesh is set for his international debut in Gumi, but he’s not looking at it as a “start.” For Sachin, this is simply the next step in a journey that began unusually late.
“Most athletes start in school. I began after getting a job,” Sachin says candidly. It was Sandeep Yadav, a neighbor, who nudged him into picking up the javelin. A two-month break after securing a job in the UP Police could have been the end. But Sandeep didn’t let him drift and sent him to Naval Singh in Delhi, a coach whose guidance reignited Sachin’s ambition.
Now, with a personal best of 84.39m from the 2023 National Games, and an equally solid 83.86m at the Federation Cup this year, Sachin is firmly in the elite bracket. He ranks 4th in Asia this season and is within striking distance of the World Championships qualifying mark of 85.50m.
His first international challenge? Facing Olympic champion Arshad Nadeem, who is reportedly targeting a 100m throw in Gumi. Yet Sachin remains unfazed:
“Physique doesn’t win medals. It’s about technique, discipline, and mental strength. If I execute properly, the results will come.”
India’s Rising Firepower in Javelin
India’s strength in the javelin isn’t limited to Sachin alone. Yashvir Singh, who threw 80.85m at the Federation Cup, also joins the contingent. Together, they face stiff competition from Sri Lanka’s Sumeda Ranasinghe (85.78m) and Rumesh Tharanga (85.41m)—Asia’s top two throwers in 2025.
India’s javelin medal hopes are rooted in more than just distance—it’s about rhythm, momentum, and timing. Without Neeraj Chopra, this becomes a vital opportunity for both men to assert themselves as world-class contenders.
The Return of the Stars: Jyothi Yarraji, Avinash Sable & Tejaswin Shankar
Among the returning heroes is Jyothi Yarraji, the reigning Asian champion in 100m hurdles, who’s looking to defend her crown with sharper technique and improved reaction times.
“I’m focused on increasing my speed between hurdles and staying composed. I don’t want the weather to distract me,” said Jyothi, as she aims for back-to-back continental golds.
Avinash Sable, India’s national record holder in 3000m steeplechase, will also be in action. Though he didn’t clinch gold in the last edition, Sable’s 2024 Paris Olympics performance has added more steel to his resolve. He’ll compete in both steeplechase and long-distance events.
Tejaswin Shankar, another marquee name, will add weight to the team’s multisport profile by contesting in the decathlon—a test of all-around athletic excellence.
Gulveer Singh: The Relentless Distance Man
There’s another name quietly turning heads on the Asian circuit—Gulveer Singh. The 2022 Asian Games bronze medallist and 2023 AAC bronze winner in the 10,000m, Gulveer has had a breakout season in 2025.
Training at Colorado Springs under Scott Simons, he recently broke national records in both 5000m and 10000m, and even made his Diamond League debut in Doha, finishing 9th against a global field.
“No rest since last year,” he says. “But my body’s responding well. I’m pushing harder, and I’m aiming to qualify for the World Championships in 10,000m.”
Sprint & Relay Watch: India’s Young Guns Get Their Shot
India’s sprinters have a lot to prove in Gumi—especially after a disappointing campaign at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, where both the men’s and women’s relay squads missed out on World Championships qualification. The AAC becomes the final qualifying window.
In the men’s 4x100m, all eyes will be on Amlan Borgohain, who joins a young relay lineup including Pranav, Manikanta, Animesh Kujur, and others. The 4x400m squad, traditionally one of India’s strongest units, will feature new faces—Vishal TK, Manu TS, Prince Joseph, and Mohit, among others.
The women’s 4x400m team looks solid with Rupal Chaudhary, Subha V, Jisna Mathew, and Vithya Ramraj, all capable of podium finishes.
Field Events: Quiet Dominance
India’s strength in field events is quietly formidable:
- Triple jump: Praveen Chithravel and Abdulla Aboobacker return after good seasons. Both are gunning for podium spots.
- Shot put: Samardeep Singh is out to follow up on the gold India won in 2023.
- Long jump: Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan are looking for big leaps, with both over 6.70m this season.
- High jump: Pooja Singh and Sarvesh Kushare will lead the charge.
Distance Running & Women’s Dominance
The middle and long-distance women’s squad has depth and pedigree:
- Parul Chaudhary, defending champion in 3000m steeplechase, returns to defend her title and compete in the 5000m.
- Sanjivani Jadhav, Ankita Dhyani, and Seema are part of a strong 10,000m team.
- Lili Das and Pooja feature in the 800m and 1500m.
India’s women athletes are no longer underdogs—they’re gold contenders.
Racewalking, Heptathlon & Multievent Talent
The 20km racewalk sees India field Amit Khatri and Servin Sebastian, two athletes quietly climbing the global ladder.
Agasara Nandini will test herself in the heptathlon, while Tejaswin Shankar’s decathlon campaign brings depth to India’s multisport credentials.
Major Storylines to Follow in Gumi
- Javelin Showdown: Sachin Yadav vs. Arshad Nadeem vs. Sri Lankan powerhouses—this event could define India’s field strength.
- Parul Chaudhary’s Title Defense: A repeat gold would confirm her place as Asia’s top distance woman.
- Jyothi’s Golden Dash: Her form will set the tone for India’s women sprinters.
- Relay Redemption: Qualification for World Championships via relay will be one of the primary goals.
- Next-Gen Breakthroughs: Athletes like Nithya Gandhe, Twinkle Chaudhary, and Animesh Kujur are knocking on the door of senior success.
From Neeraj Chopra’s Olympic gold to Sable’s steeplechase heroics and Jyothi’s hurdle dominance, India has rapidly become a respected athletics nation in Asia and beyond. The Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi is a launchpad—a moment to test, to push, to shine.
The Indian squad this year is not just large in numbers but rich in quality and diversity. AFI’s target of 25–30 medals is ambitious, but with a lineup this balanced, it’s more than achievable.
This isn’t just about medals—it’s about building a movement. From Rajpura to Gumi, from police recruits to Olympic hopefuls, Indian athletics is changing, and the rest of Asia better take notice.
As the Championships unfold, one thing is certain: India’s tricolor will fly high. And with athletes like Sachin Yadav, Jyothi Yarraji, Avinash Sable, and Gulveer Singh leading the charge, the future has never looked brighter.
India is ready. Gumi awaits.
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