India's Elite Race Walkers Gear Up for World Championships 2026
Synopsis
The Indian race walking team, led by Olympians Priyanka Goswami and Ram Baboo, is set to compete at the World Race Walking Team Championships 2026 in Brazil. This marks a significant moment for Indian athletics with new race formats and stiff international competition.
Key Takeaways
Priyanka Goswami and Ram Baboo lead a 12-member Indian team.
The championships will feature new race formats.
Team scoring is based on the top three finishers.
Past Indian teams have achieved significant success.
U20 events will occur, but India will not participate.
New Delhi, April 11 (NationPress) The Indian contingent for the World Race Walking Team Championships 2026 will be spearheaded by two-time Olympian Priyanka Goswami and male race walker Ram Baboo. This 12-member team is set to compete on Sunday in Brasília, Brazil.
Joining the team is Manju Rani, a national record holder in marathon walking, along with Servin Sebastian. The lineup also features Sahil and Akshdeep Singh, both of whom hold national records in the 10km and 20km race walks, respectively.
Priyanka, who holds the national record for the 10km race walk, also claimed a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Meanwhile, Ram Baboo has made his mark with national records in the 35km race walk and the marathon walk.
This championship, organized by World Athletics, marks the 31st edition of the event, introducing a notable format change. Over 250 athletes from 40 countries will compete in the newly standardized senior race walking distances.
The traditional events of 20km and 35km have been replaced with the half-marathon (21.0975km) and the marathon (42.195 km), both making their senior-level debuts at the World Race Walking Team Championships.
Although the U20 category will feature 10km races, no Indian athletes will participate in these junior events. In the senior competitions, each team is limited to five athletes, with only the top three overall finishers contributing to the team score.
To achieve a team result, a country must have at least three finishers to form a scoring team. The score is determined by the cumulative finishing positions of these three athletes.
Should a team lack three finishers, the individual performances of the athletes will still be recognized, but the team will be disqualified from contention.
In the past, the Indian men's team, which included KT Irfan, Surinder Singh, and Babubhai Kesharabhai Panucha, won a bronze in the men’s 20km race at the 2012 championships.
In 2022, Olympians Bhawna Jat, Ravina, and Munita Prajapati brought home a bronze for India in the women’s 20km race walk team event.
The Indian squad for the World Race Walking Team Championships 2026 includes:
Men’s marathon race walk: Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar
Men’s half-marathon race walk: Hardeep, Sahil, Servin Sebastian, Akshdeep Singh
Women’s marathon race walk: Payal, Priyanka Goswami, Manju Rani
Women’s half-marathon race walk: Mansi Negi, Munita Prajapati, Ravina
Point of View
It is crucial to recognize the athletes' dedication and the changing landscape of race walking. With new formats introduced, this event is not just a competition but an opportunity for our athletes to showcase their talents on a global stage.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who are the leaders of the Indian team for the Championships?
The Indian team will be led by two-time Olympian Priyanka Goswami and male race walker Ram Baboo.
What new formats will be introduced at the 2026 Championships?
The traditional 20km and 35km events have been replaced with the half-marathon (21.0975km) and the marathon (42.195 km).
How is the team score calculated?
A country's team score is calculated based on the finishing positions of its top three finishers.
Will there be junior categories at the Championships?
Yes, there will be an U20 category featuring 10km races, but no Indian athletes will participate in these events.
What achievements has the Indian race walking team made in the past?
India's men's team won a bronze in the men's 20km race at the 2012 championships, and the women's team secured bronze in 2022.
