In a performance marked by grit, personal milestones, and national pride, India wrapped up a historic campaign at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships 2025 in Gumi, South Korea, finishing second on the medal tally with 24 medals — 8 gold, 10 silver, and 6 bronze.
This was not just a week of podium finishes; it was a week that signaled a generational shift and reaffirmed India’s place in Asian athletics.
Coming off a third-place finish in 2023 with 27 medals (including 6 gold), the Indian contingent returned stronger and more balanced in 2025, not only increasing the gold count to 8 but also matching Japan’s total medal tally and finishing just two medals behind China, the long-reigning athletics superpower.
Steady Ascent Over the Years
India’s trajectory in the last five editions of the Asian Athletics Championships reflects a steady investment in infrastructure, athlete development, and a broader talent pool:
- 2015: 3rd – 4 Gold
- 2017: 1st – 10 Gold
- 2019: 5th – 2 Gold
- 2023: 3rd – 6 Gold
- 2025: 2nd – 8 Gold
While China (37) and Japan (26) have led the medal charts over the last three editions, India’s 16 golds during the same span place them third in that elite list, well ahead of Bahrain and Qatar.
Indian Army: From Battlefields to Podiums
One of the most powerful narratives of the championships was the dominance of Indian Army athletes, who continue to embody discipline, courage, and excellence. Out of the 24 medals India won, nine came from Army athletes — including a stunning five golds. Their commitment to both the country and the sport remains unmatched.
Their contribution is a reminder that India’s elite athletes don’t always train in the biggest academies or under the brightest spotlights; sometimes, they emerge from boot camps and parade grounds, driven by duty and discipline.
Golden Champions of Gumi
Let’s take a moment to celebrate the athletes who stood tallest on the podium, delivering golden moments for India:
- Gulveer Singh completed a rare double, winning gold in both 5000m and 10,000m, with the former in Championship Record time. His dominance marked India’s growing strength in long-distance events.
- Avinash Sable, the face of Indian steeplechase, once again claimed gold in 3000m Steeplechase, continuing his regional reign.
- Jyothi Yarraji defended her position as Asia’s finest in 100m hurdles, showcasing not just speed but maturity in technique.
- Pooja Singh soared to high jump gold with a personal best, another feather in the cap of India’s growing field-event portfolio.
- Nandini Agasara triumphed in heptathlon, registering a personal best of 5941 points, breaking her previous mark of 5813. A true clutch performance.
- The women’s 4x400m relay team of Jisna, Rupal, Rajitha, and Subha delivered a gold after 12 years, clocking 3:34.18 and reigniting memories of Indian dominance in relay events.
- The mixed 4x400m relay team also clinched gold, underscoring India’s depth across genders in middle-distance relay races.
Silver Linings That Shine Bright
India’s 10 silver medals were no less valuable — each came with its own story of resilience and near-perfection.
- Tejaswin Shankar, narrowly missing gold in decathlon, ended with 7618 points, just 16 behind China’s Fei Xiang. A heartbreak, but also a statement of consistency.
- Parul Chaudhary continued to impress with two silvers — in 5000m and 3000m steeplechase. In both events, she was bested only by Norah Jeruto Tanui, a former Kenyan now representing Kazakhstan. Parul’s effort in the steeplechase even resulted in a new national record.
- Sachin Yadav clinched silver in javelin throw with a personal best of 85.16m, achieved in his last attempt — a moment that brought the stadium to life.
- Indian Men’s 4x400m relay team (Jay, Dharmveer, Manu, Vishal) clocked 3:03.67 for silver — slightly slower than the 2023 time (3:01.80) but still a massive result given the competition.
- Rupal Chaudhary in the women’s 400m, Praveen Chitravel in long jump, Ancy Sojan also in long jump, and the women’s 4x100m relay team rounded off the silver tally with remarkable consistency across sprint and field events.
Bronze Moments and Personal Bests
Bronze medals often come through tough battles — and India’s six bronze finishes were hard-fought:
- Animesh Kujur set a new national record in 200m and became only the second Indian ever to win an Asian 200m medal after Dharambir Singh (2015). His form this season has been electric.
- Pooja, in addition to her 1500m silver, added a bronze in 800m with another personal best performance.
- Vithya Ramraj in 400m hurdles, Servin Sebastien in 20km race walk, Yoonus Shah in 1500m, and Shaili Singh in long jump rounded off the bronze medal tally — each representing India’s growing diversity of podium contenders.
Relay Magic: A National Strength
Indian relays were once again a highlight. All three relay teams — men’s, women’s, and mixed — made it to the podium. The women’s 4×400 gold was the crowning glory, achieved 12 years after the last gold in this event. The mixed relay gold and men’s silver proved India is becoming a relay powerhouse in Asia.
These results aren’t just about medal counts — they indicate effective team coordination, high-performance training, and bench strength, especially important in a discipline that requires precision and chemistry.
A Broadcast Missed, A Moment Lost
One sour note in an otherwise glorious week was the lack of television broadcast. While the championships were streamed on YouTube, the absence of a traditional broadcast partner significantly limited the visibility of these athletes back home.
With performances like these, Indian athletes deserve a national audience. The effort, sacrifice, and excellence on display should not go unnoticed simply because of platform limitations. If Indian athletics is to grow, visibility is non-negotiable.
New Champions. New Hopes. New Era.
This edition of the Asian Athletics Championships wasn’t just about medals. It was about transitions and transformations. Established names like Avinash Sable and Jyothi Yarraji reaffirmed their supremacy, while new stars like Gulveer Singh, Animesh Kujur, and Nandini Agasara emerged to shoulder the future.
More importantly, the balance of medals — across track, field, sprints, relays, and endurance — signals a broad-based improvement, not isolated brilliance. That’s the mark of a rising athletics nation.
The Road Ahead: LA 2028 and Beyond
The 2025 Asian Championships may be over, but the road ahead is even more exciting. With the Paris Olympics behind us, focus now shifts to Los Angeles 2028. The performances in Gumi offer plenty of optimism. From heptathlon to 200m sprinting, from javelin throws to women’s relays — India has the foundation, talent, and belief.
The goal is no longer just to compete — it’s to contend.
India’s 2nd-place finish at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships is more than just a statistical achievement. It’s a statement. A declaration that Indian athletics is no longer content playing catch-up. We are here. We are rising. And we are ready to take center stage.
Let’s keep supporting. Let’s keep dreaming.
Together, let’s Make India a Sporting Nation 🇮🇳
Medal Summary – Asian Athletics Championships 2025
- 🥇 Gold (8): Gulveer (5000m & 10,000m), Sable (3000m SC), Jyothi (100mH), Nandini (Heptathlon), Pooja (High Jump), 4x400m Women, 4x400m Mixed
- 🥈 Silver (10): Men’s 4x400m, Praveen (LJ), Sachin (Javelin), Tejaswin (Decathlon), Rupal (400m), Pooja (1500m), Parul (5000m & 3000m SC), 4x100m Women, Ancy (LJ)
- 🥉 Bronze (6): Animesh (200m), Pooja (800m), Shaili (LJ), Servin (20km RW), Yoonus (1500m), Vithya (400mH)
