Asian Athletics Championships 2025: Avinash Sable, Jyothi Yarraji to Lead Indian Squad; Neeraj Chopra Opts Out
Patiala, April 26 (Sports Desk)
India’s athletics contingent for the Asian Athletics Championships 2025, set to take place in Gumi, South Korea, from May 27 to May 31, will be led by stalwarts like Avinash Sable, Jyothi Yarraji, and Praveen Chithravel. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) unveiled the squad on Friday following the Federation Cup in Kochi, which served as the final selection trial for most athletes.
While participation in the Federation Cup was mandatory, national record-holders Avinash Sable and Parul Chaudhary, both steeplechasers, were granted exemptions. Notably, Tokyo 2020 Olympic javelin throw champion Neeraj Chopra will skip the continental event to focus on the Doha Diamond League (May 16) and the Neeraj Chopra Classic (May 24). In his absence, Sachin Yadav and Yashvir Singh will compete in the men’s javelin throw.
Other prominent absentees include Asian Games gold medallists Annu Rani and Tajinderpal Singh Toor. Despite these omissions, the Indian squad boasts a strong mix of Olympians, Asian Games medallists, and national record holders.
watch…..Neeraj Chopra Launches 2025 Season with Victory at Potchefstroom Invitational
Key Athletes in the Indian Squad
- Men’s Highlights:
- Praveen Chithravel (Triple Jump): Matched his national record with a 17.37m leap at the Federation Cup, joined by reigning Asian champion Abdulla Aboobacker.
- Avinash Sable (3000m Steeplechase): National record-holder, exempted from trials.
- Tejaswin Shankar (Decathlon): A versatile athlete aiming for a strong showing.
- Animesh Kujur (200m): Recently broke the 200m national record, adding dynamism to the sprint events.
- Gulveer Singh (5000m, 10,000m): A long-distance specialist expected to shine.
- Women’s Highlights:
- Jyothi Yarraji (100m Hurdles): Set to defend her Asian title.
- Parul Chaudhary (3000m Steeplechase, 5000m): National record-holder, exempted from trials.
- Shaili Singh & Ancy Sojan (Long Jump): Promising talents aiming for podium finishes.
- Rupal Chaudhary & Vithya Ramraj (400m, 4x400m Relay): Vithya also competes in the 400m hurdles.
- Sanjivani Baburao (5000m, 10,000m): A key contender in long-distance events.
India’s Track Record
At the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok, India secured an impressive haul of 27 medals—6 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze—demonstrating their dominance in the region. The 2025 squad aims to build on this legacy with a blend of experienced athletes and emerging stars.
Indian Squad for Asian Athletics Championships 2025
Men:
- 200m: Animesh Kujur
- 800m: Anu Kumar, Krishan Kumar
- 1500m: Yoonus Shah
- 3000m Steeplechase: Avinash Sable
- 5000m: Gulveer Singh, Abhishek Pal
- 10,000m: Gulveer Singh, Sawan Barwal
- Triple Jump: Praveen Chithravel, Abdulla Aboobacker
- High Jump: Sarvesh Kushare
- Shot Put: Samardeep Singh Gill
- Javelin Throw: Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh
- Decathlon: Tejaswin Shankar
- 20km Race Walk: Servin Sebastian, Amit
- 4x100m Relay: Pranav Pramod, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidar, Amlan Borgohain, Tamilarasu, Ragul Kumar, Gurvinder Singh
- 4x400m Relay: Vishal TK, Jay Kumar, Manu TS, Dharamveer Chaudhary, Rince Joseph, Tushar Kanti, Santosh Kumar, Mohit Kumar
Women:
- 200m: Nithya Gandhe
- 400m: Rupal Chaudhary, Vithya Ramraj
- 800m: Twinkle Chaudhary, Pooja
- 1500m: Lili Das, Pooja
- 3000m Steeplechase: Parul Chaudhary, Ankita
- 5000m: Sanjivani Baburao, Parul Chaudhary
- 10,000m: Sanjivani Baburao, Seema
- 100m Hurdles: Jyothi Yarraji
- 400m Hurdles: Vithya Ramraj, Anu R
- Long Jump: Shaili Singh, Ancy Sojan
- High Jump: Pooja
- Heptathlon: Nandini Agasara
- 4x100m Relay: Nithya Gandhe, Abhinaya Rajarajan, Sneha S, Srabani Nanda, Daneshwari, V Sudeeksha
- 4x400m Relay: Rupal, Sneha K, Subha Venkatesan, Jisna Mathew, Kunja Rajitha, Sandramol Sabu
Looking Ahead
The Asian Athletics Championships 2025 will be a critical platform for Indian athletes to fine-tune their preparations for global events, including the 2026 Asian Games. With a talented and diverse squad, India is poised to make a significant impact in Gumi, continuing their tradition of excellence on the continental stage.
