Indian athletes eye Tokyo Worlds spots in Chennai meet

Post by : Jyoti Singh

Facebook: Indian Athletes

Indian Athletes Get Final Chance to Qualify for World Championships in Tokyo at Chennai Meet. The Indian athletics scene is full of excitement and anticipation this week, as the National Inter-State Athletics Championship begins in Chennai on Wednesday. For many athletes, this five-day competition is not just another domestic event — it is their last and final opportunity to secure a ticket to the upcoming World Championships in Tokyo. The qualification deadline for the Worlds is August 24, which happens to be the last day of this meet.

This makes the Chennai event crucial, and all eyes will be on several rising stars as well as experienced names who are chasing qualification marks or looking to strengthen their global rankings. For Indian track and field, where the margins are often razor-thin, the performances over these few days could decide the fate of the nation’s representation at the World Championships.

Animesh Kujur – The Young Sprinter Grabbing Attention

One of the most exciting stories ahead of the meet revolves around 200m sprinter Animesh Kujur. At just 21 years old, Kujur has already carved out a reputation as one of India’s most promising short-distance runners. He currently sits at rank 42 out of the 48 possible entries through the World Athletics qualification rankings, which means he is just inside the cut-off.

This gives him a strong chance of making his World Championships debut in Tokyo but the Chennai meet will be vital to confirm his place. A good performance here could improve his ranking further and secure his spot beyond doubt.

Kujur’s rise this season has been remarkable. He set the national record of 20.32 seconds in the 200m while winning bronze at the Asian Championships in Gumi. That performance has made him a household name among athletics followers in India, particularly since sprinting has never been an area of great strength for the country. If he can carry his form into Chennai, he could be one of the breakthrough stars of the year.

Murali Sreeshankar – The Long Jumper Making a Comeback

Another big name to watch is Murali Sreeshankar India’s top long jumper. Sreeshankar has been returning from knee surgery, and his comeback has been impressive. Just a few days ago, he came close to achieving the World Championships entry standard of 8.27m when he competed at a World Athletics Continental Tour event in Bhubaneswar.

Although he narrowly missed the mark, his jump beyond 8m so early in his return has given hope to fans and coaches alike. India has not seen consistent strong performances in the men’s long jump in his absence, and his return is bringing focus back to the event.

In Chennai, Sreeshankar will be under the spotlight again, as one strong leap could take him directly into the Worlds. Even if he doesn’t hit the qualifying mark, maintaining his ranking with a good performance could be enough.

Javelin Throw – Neeraj Chopra Leads the Way

In javelin, India’s biggest star Neeraj Chopra the defending world champion and two-time Olympic medallist, will once again spearhead the challenge in Tokyo. His presence itself inspires younger throwers and builds belief in India’s javelin strength.

Apart from Neeraj, there are others in the mix as well. Sachin Yadav currently ranked 22nd, has a strong chance of qualifying. He won the silver medal at the Asian Championships with a throw of 85.16m falling just short of the direct entry standard of 85.50m. Though his recent throws have not been at that level, his world ranking keeps him safe inside the cut-off.

Another contender is Yashvir Singh who also sits comfortably within the top-36 spots required for entry. Meanwhile, Rohit Yadav is close to the cut-off line and will need a strong outing in Chennai to secure qualification. His performance in this meet could decide whether he gets a ticket to Tokyo or not.

Women’s Javelin – Annu Rani in Strong Form

In the women’s javelin, India’s Annu Rani has found her form just at the right time. She recently produced an impressive throw of 62.59m in Poland, followed by another strong effort of 62.01m at the Indian Open in Bhubaneswar. Both performances earned her gold medals and boosted her confidence.

Her consistency has shown that she is peaking at the perfect time. A good performance in Chennai will almost certainly confirm her place in Tokyo, making her one of the key figures in India’s athletics team.

Triple Jump – Rising Names and Strong Competition

India’s Praveen Chithravel has already booked his place at the Worlds with a superb jump of 17.37m which gave him a direct qualification. His achievement has made him one of the sure-shot names for Tokyo.

Meanwhile, Abdulla Aboobacker a Commonwealth Games silver medallist, is holding on to the 30th position in the world rankings. Since the top 36 qualify, he is still in the mix. However, he will need to perform well in Chennai to make sure he does not slip further. The triple jump contest here promises to be lively, as both athletes will want to prove themselves against each other.

Relay Teams Struggle to Find Form

While India has enjoyed individual success, the relay squads have been a disappointment this season. Neither the men’s nor the mixed 4x400m relay teams managed automatic qualification at the World Athletics Relays held in Guangzhou.

This is surprising because the men’s team had clocked a superb national record of 2:59.05 at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest. However, since then, injuries and poor form have hurt their chances. They are currently ranked 19th, with a season’s best of 3:03.73 which makes it very difficult to expect a sub-3-minute run in Chennai.

For India to qualify, the team will need to rediscover its old rhythm quickly, otherwise, it risks missing out entirely.

Distance Running – New Stars Emerging

Among India’s distance runners, Gulveer Singh has already qualified outright. He set a new national record in the 5000m with his 12:59.77 run in Boston comfortably breaking the World's entry standard of 13:01.00. He is also close to qualifying in the 10,000m through rankings, but he will not be competing in Chennai.

In the women’s events, Parul Chaudhary who already secured her spot with a national record of 9:12.46 in the steeplechase is also not taking part in this meet. This leaves the stage open for Ankita Dhyani who is just outside the cut-off rankings. For her, Chennai is the last chance to chase her dream of qualifying for the Worlds.

Chennai Meet – The Final Push

The Chennai meet is not just another national event — it is the final push for many athletes to turn their efforts into a World Championship ticket. Some, like Neeraj Chopra, Gulveer Singh, and Praveen Chithravel, are already assured of their spots. Others, like Animesh Kujur, Murali Sreeshankar, Rohit Yadav, and Ankita Dhyani, still have everything to play for.

The excitement is high, the stakes are higher, and the performances over these five days will shape India’s athletics team for the World Championships in Tokyo.

For the athletes, it is the moment of truth. For the fans, it is a chance to witness history in the making.