India Concludes Campaign Without a Medal
India’s journey at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo came to a close on Day 8 without a medal, marking a disappointing outing for the country. This marked the first time in three editions that India returned home empty-handed, despite arriving with high hopes following strong performances in previous editions. The 19-member contingent, comprising 14 men and 5 women, put up several promising showings and personal bests but fell short of reaching the podium this year.
Servin Sebastian was the last Indian competitor in action, participating in the men’s 20 km race walk. Making his debut at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, the 25-year-old finished in a commendable 31st place in the men’s 20 km race walk, clocking a time of 1:23:03 against a field of 48 athletes, showcasing consistency and resilience throughout the race.
While India may have missed out on a medal, there were several notable performances by Indian athletes at the championship. Sachin Yadav produced a personal best in the men’s javelin throw, recording a mark of 86.27 m and finishing fourth, narrowly missing the bronze by 40 centimeters. Sarvesh Anil Kushare made history by becoming the first Indian to qualify for a men’s high jump final at the World Championships, clearing 2.28 m and finishing sixth in a competitive field.
Gulveer Singh showed promise in the men’s 5000 m event, narrowly missing a place in the final while recording one of his best international times of the season. Annu Rani, competing in the women’s javelin throw qualification, could not advance, finishing 29th overall with a best throw of 55.18 m. Neeraj Chopra, the two-time Olympic medalist and reigning world champion, struggled to replicate his past podium finishes and concluded his campaign in eighth place with a best throw of 84.03 m.
Several other Indian athletes, including relay participants and middle-distance runners, set personal or season best performances but were unable to progress past their heats. Despite the lack of medals, the Indian contingent showcased determination and talent on the global stage, setting the stage for future success in athletics.
The author of this article, Ishaan Mahajan, is a journalist who covers cricket at Sportskeeda. With a passion for the sport since childhood, Ishaan brings valuable insights and perspectives to his articles, serving as a keen fact-checker and trend tracker. In his spare time, he enjoys creating fantasy cricket teams and playing mobile games like Clash of Clans.
The article was edited by Sooryanarayanan Sesha, ensuring quality and accuracy in the content.
