Will Neeraj Chopra Successfully Defend His Title at the World Athletics Championships?
Click to start listening
Synopsis
As the World Athletics Championships 2025 kicks off in Tokyo, Neeraj Chopra aims to defend his title. With a talented Indian team, including veterans and newcomers, the stage is set for an exciting competition. Can Chopra maintain his winning streak and inspire a new generation of athletes?
Key Takeaways
- Neeraj Chopra leads the Indian athletics team.
- First-time participation of four javelin throwers from India.
- India's athletics team consists of 14 men and 5 women.
- Live streaming available on JioHotstar.
- Over 2000 athletes participating from nearly 200 teams.
New Delhi, Sep 12 (NationPress) Men’s javelin throw reigning champion Neeraj Chopra spearheads a motivated Indian team, complemented by experienced athletes like Annu Rani and emerging sprint star Animesh Kujur at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, commencing this Saturday.
Chopra enters the competition as India's first-ever defending world champion, having secured the men’s javelin throw title in Budapest two years ago.
He made headlines by clinching gold in Budapest, becoming the first Asian to win the men's world javelin title. Since his remarkable Olympic victory in 2021, fans have eagerly anticipated when Chopra would surpass the 90-meter mark.
This year, he achieved that milestone with his 90.23m national record at the Diamond League event in Doha. This throw places him at the top of the global rankings ahead of major championships, sitting third heading into Tokyo, following Germany's Julian Weber and Brazil's Luiz da Silva.
Weber not only outperformed Chopra in Doha with a throw of 91.06m but also claimed the Diamond League title, with two additional throws exceeding 91 meters, capped by a personal best of 91.51m.
This event marks a milestone, as India fields four athletes in the men’s javelin throw for the first time, including Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh, and Rohit Yadav.
The Indian athletics team for the Tokyo event comprises 14 men and 5 women who will vie for medals across 15 events.
Rising star Animesh Kujur makes history as the first Indian sprinter to qualify for this global extravaganza, competing in the men’s 200m after breaking both the 100m and 200m national records this year.
Long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, undefeated in five competitions since returning from injury, and Annu Rani, the Asian Games women’s javelin champion, are also looking for success in Japan.
Other notable athletes include triple jumpers Abdulla Aboobacker, Praveen Chitravel, and Sarvesh Kushare, steeplechaser Parul Chaudhary, hurdler Tejas Shirse, and long-distance runner Gulveer Singh.
India has historically secured only three medals at the World Athletics Championships, with Anju Bobby George winning bronze in long jump at Paris 2003, and Neeraj Chopra earning silver in Oregon 2022 before his golden triumph in Budapest.
Global stars set to shine in Tokyo include Weber, Grenada’s Anderson Peters, and Pakistan’s Arshad Nadeem, who has missed most of the season due to injury but is cleared to compete in Tokyo.
Other prominent names include US sprint sensation Noah Lyles, Dutch hurdler Femke Bol, and Japan’s Haruka Kitaguchi.
More than 2000 athletes from nearly 200 teams will compete for medals in 49 disciplines from September 13-21.
How to watch the World Athletics Championships 2025 live in India?
Viewers in India can catch the live streaming of the World Athletics Championships 2025 on JioHotstar.
The championships will also be broadcast live on Star Sports Select 1, Star Sports Select 1 HD, Star Sports Select 2, and Star Sports Select 2 HD channels in India.
Point of View
It is a moment of pride for India to witness our athletes, led by Neeraj Chopra, competing on such a prestigious global platform. We stand united in support of our athletes, hoping they bring glory to the nation.
NationPress
12/09/2025
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the World Athletics Championships 2025 live in India?
You can watch the Championships live on JioHotstar and on Star Sports channels.
How many medals has India won at the World Athletics Championships?
India has won only three medals in the history of the World Athletics Championships.
Who is Neeraj Chopra?
Neeraj Chopra is the defending champion in men's javelin throw and has made history as India's first-ever world champion in this event.
What events will Indian athletes participate in?
Indian athletes will compete in 15 events at the World Athletics Championships 2025.
Which athletes are part of the Indian contingent?
The Indian contingent includes Neeraj Chopra, Annu Rani, Animesh Kujur, and many other talented athletes.
