Indian drought medals at the World Athletics Championship happened for the first time in six years, when the nation returned from Tokyo without target. The closest country came the javelin of Thrower Sachin Yadav, who finished fourth, and the high jumper Sarvesh Kushare, who produced the lifelong best to secure the fifth place. A long -distance runner also missed a long distance and finished ninth in his 5,000 meters, only fractions for limiting the finals.
India was hoping for a strong performance across the album, but the Tokyo campaign was largely defined by almost mistakes and unexpected failures. Even athletes of national awnings tried to transfer talent to medals. Only Sarvesh, Neeri Chopra and Sachin Yadav, who got to the final, have reduced the sum of the Indian finalists compared to previous editions.
In Budapest 2023, India sent six to seven athletes to the finals, including Jeswin in a long jump, Neeraj, Manu and Kishhore in Javelin, Paul in 3,000 m steeplechase and the male relay team 4x400m.
In Eugene 2022, the finalists of Avinash (3,000 m Steeplechase), Sreeshankar (Long Jump), Eldhose (Triple Jump), Neera, Rohit and Anna (Javelin).
Tokyo 2025, however, saw that only three athletes – Sarvesh Kushare, Neera Chopra and Sachin Yadav – will reach the final.
The contrast is sharp and raises the question: Is it a temporary decline in form, or is India still trying to build a consistent depth across disciplines?
Sarvesh Kushare and Sachin Yadav: The brightest Indian places
Tall jumper Sarvesh Kushare was the brightest light of India. The thirty -year erase of 2.28 m became only the fourth Indian high interconnection, which ended in the first six at the World Championship. The son of a farmer onion from Nashic presented a show that lit up the National Stadium and gave fans a rare moment of joy in the middle of disappointment.
During the spear throwing, the defense of the Neer Chopry champion ended to maintain the title of the World Championship by disappointment. The double Olympic medalist managed to manage only the eighth place. His countryman Sachin Yadav, only 25 years, threw the lifelong best of 86.27 m But he missed the medal of 40 centimeters. His consistent performance showed his potential to be a future star, even though India left with an empty hand.
Follow and field decreases according to discipline
In the sprints, Animesh Kujur tried to replicate his best form, which within 200 meters warm, far from his personal best in 20.27 seconds and the last in his group. His performance reflected a major problem: Indian speed events still lack the consistency of the world scene.
A long -distance runner Gulveer Singh just missed the final of 5,000 meters of menHe finished ninth in his heat with 13: 42,34. He holds a national record at 12: 59.77 and at Asian championships he claimed gold in 5,000 ma 10,000 meters, but Tokyo proved to be a harder challenge.
Indian athletes also fought. Javelin Thrower Anna Rani managed 55.18 MV qualification, significantly under the brand 62.50 m, which had to be done. Pooja Olla finished 11th in her 1,500 -meter World Championship. Although it was the sixth overall fastest time, it was not enough to achieve the semifinals.
With you
Tokyo 2025 emphasized the promise and limitation of Indian athletics. The high jump of Sarvesh Kushare and the javelin in the nearby Sachin Yadav industry were moments to celebrate, but the unexpected target of Neer Chopry, for a long distance near mistakes and stunning performances in sprints and female events underlines this challenge.
The decline in the number of finalists from previous editions raises questions about the Indian Development Development System across disciplines. Relying on several standout athletes may no longer be enough if India aims to compete at the highest level.
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Published:
Debodinna Chakracorty
Published on:
September 20, 2025
