Neeraj Chopra Skips Asian Athletics 2025, India Announces Squad
Neeraj Chopra Skips to Focus on Diamond League and World Championships
India has announced a 59-member squad for the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships set to take place in Gumi, South Korea, from May 27 to 31. As expected, Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra has opted out of the continental meet to focus on his 2025 season goals, including the Diamond League Meetings and the World Championships later this year.
Chopra has not participated in the Asian Championships since winning gold in the 2017 edition held in Bhubaneswar. His upcoming appearance will be at his own event—the NC Classic in Bengaluru on May 24.
Medalists From Federation Cup Dominate Squad
Almost all top performers from the recently concluded Federation Cup (Apr 21–24) in Kochi have earned selection. Athletes such as Animesh Kujur, who set a national record in the 200m, and Praveen Chitravel, who equaled his triple jump national record, feature prominently.
In contrast, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, a defending champion and national record holder in shot put, failed to make the cut after finishing second in Kochi. Similarly, pole vaulter Dev Kumar Meena missed selection despite breaking his own national record, as he fell short of the qualification mark set by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
Overseas Athletes Included Despite Absence in Trials
Some athletes who skipped the Federation Cup due to overseas training and competitions were granted exemptions and have been included. This includes Avinash Sable, Parul Chaudhary, and Gulveer Singh, all of whom received prior permission from AFI.
Annu Rani Sneaks In Despite Poor Form
Annu Rani, India’s national record holder in women’s javelin, managed to secure a place despite her recent struggles to cross the 60m mark. Her season’s best came in March (58.82m) at the Indian Open, and she followed it up with a 56.66m gold-winning throw in Kochi—just above the 58m qualifying mark.
AFI Emphasizes Federation Cup as Final Selection Trial
The Federation Cup served as the final selection event. The AFI had made participation mandatory for all athletes unless formally exempted, reinforcing its commitment to merit-based selection.
In the last edition of the Asian Championships held in Bangkok, India finished third overall with 27 medals—6 gold, 12 silver, and 9 bronze—behind Japan and China.
India’s Full Squad for Asian Athletics Championships 2025
India’s squad: Men: Animesh Kujur (200m), Anu Kumar and Krishan Kumar (800m), Yoonus Shah (1500m), Avinash Sable (3000m steeplechase), Gulveer Singh and Abhishek Pal (5000m), Gulveer Singh and Sawan Barwal (10,000m), Praveen Chithravel and Abudlla Aboobacker (triple jump), Sarvesh Kushare (high jump), Sachin Yadav and Yasvir Singh (javelin throw), Samardeep Singh (shot put), Tejaswin Shankar (decathlon), Servin Sebastian and Amit (20km race walk).
4x100m relay: Pranav Pramod Gurav, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidar, Amlan Borgohain, Tamilarasu S, Ragul Kumar G, Gurvindervir Singh.
4x400m relay: Vishal TK, Jay Kumar, Manu TS, Rince Joseph, Tushar Manna, Santhosh Kumar, Dharamveer Choudhary, Mohit Kumar.
Women: Nithya Gandhe (200m), Rupal Chaudhary and Vithya Ramraj (400m), Twinkle Chaudhary and Pooja (800m), Lili Das and Pooja (1500m), Parul Chaudhary and Ankita (3000m steeplechase), Sanjivani Jadav and Parul Chaudhary (5000m), Sanjivani Jadhav and Seema (10,000m), Jyothi Yarraji (100m hurdles), R Vithya Ramraj and Anu R (400m), Shaili Singh and Ancy Sojan (long jump), Pooja (high jump), Seema (discus throw), Annu Rani (javelin throw), Agsara Nandini (heptathlon).
4x100m relay: Nithya Gandhe, Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha SS, Srabani Nanda, Daneshwari AT, V Sudheeksha.
4x400m relay: Rupal Chaudhary, Sneha K, Subha Venkatesan, Jisna Mathew, Kunja Rajitha, Sarndramol Sabu.
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