India's performance at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, held from September 13 to 21, was largely disappointing, prompting reflection on the nation's approach to the sport. The 19-member contingent, consisting of 14 men and five women, competed across 15 events but failed to secure any medals, marking the first time since 2022 that India has returned from the World Championships without a podium finish.
Several athletes entered the competition with high expectations, including Neeraj Chopra, the reigning world champion in the men's javelin throw. However, Chopra struggled with injury and finished eighth, ending a seven-year streak of international medals. Murali Sreeshankar, Annu Rani, and Parul Chaudhary also delivered underwhelming performances.
Despite the setbacks, a few Indian athletes managed to shine. Sachin Yadav's fourth-place finish in the men's javelin throw emerged as the country's standout performance. Yadav achieved a personal best of 86.27m in his first attempt in the final, initially placing second before being edged out of the medal positions by Curtis Thompson of the USA. Sarvesh Kushare also had a notable performance, becoming the first Indian high jumper to qualify for the World Athletics Championships final. He finished sixth with a personal best of 2.28m. Pooja Olla recorded a personal best in the women's 800m. Gulveer Singh narrowly missed a spot in the 5000m final.
India had eight debutants at Tokyo25, including Animesh Kujur, the national record holder in the men's 100m and 200m sprints. However, Kujur and others fell short of expectations.
The standout performances of Yadav and Kushare, along with personal bests from others, provided some positive moments amidst the disappointment. Kushare's journey to the final and his personal best of 2.28m showcased his resilience and potential.
While India's medal tally remained at three from previous championships, the Tokyo25 results highlight the need for a comprehensive review of the nation's athletics program. This includes identifying areas for improvement in training, injury management, and athlete development to ensure better performances at future international events.
