India's Athletics Team Gears Up for Asian Games 2023

As the Asian Games 2023 approach, Team India is gearing up for a strong performance in athletics. With star athletes like Avinash Sable and Tajinderpal Singh Toor leading the charge, the team aims to defend titles and secure new victories. Notably, Neeraj Chopra will miss the javelin throw due to injury, but Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh are ready to step up. The competition runs from September 23 to 29, with India participating in 41 events. Discover more about the athletes and their aspirations as they prepare for this prestigious event.

By Narendra Chaudhary Sep 22, 2026, 14:43 IST

India's Athletics Campaign Begins

Team India is set to kick off its athletics journey at the Asian Games on September 23, featuring prominent athletes such as Avinash Sable, Tajinderpal Singh Toor, Parul Chaudhary, and Gulveer Singh.

The athletics events will run from September 23 to September 29, showcasing India's top talents.

In a notable change, the men's javelin throw will see Neeraj Chopra sidelined due to injury. Rohit Yadav and Commonwealth Games gold medalist Yash Vir Singh will step in to compete in his absence, as reported by Olympics.com.

This season, Rohit has impressed with two remarkable throws exceeding 87 meters, including a personal best of 87.68 meters at the World Athletics Continental Tour Silver Meet in Bhubaneswar, where he clinched gold.

Avinash Sable aims to defend his title in the men's 3000 m steeplechase, while Tajinderpal seeks to secure his third consecutive Asian Games gold medal. Parul Choudhary will also defend her title in the women's 5000 m and compete in the 1500 m and 3000 m steeplechase events.

Rajesh Ramesh, who was part of the gold-medal-winning 4x400 m relay team at the 2022 Hangzhou Games, has also been selected for this year's competition.

Avinash returns to defend his title after recovering from knee surgery, which kept him out of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. Hurdler Jyothi Yarraji, who won silver at the last Asian Games, is also making a comeback after a lengthy injury hiatus.

Long-jump athlete Murali Sreeshankar, who earned silver at Hangzhou, arrives at the Asian Games with strong momentum, having secured his second CWG silver in Glasgow.

Other notable athletes include Tejaswin Shankar, Gulveer Singh, a double medalist at CWG 2026 in the 10,000 m and 5,000 m, long-jump record holder Ancy Sojan, Praveen Chithravel, and Vithya Ramraj, all looking to enhance their medal counts.

India will participate in 41 out of 50 athletics events, although there will be no representation in the men's 110 hurdles, discus throw, half marathon race walk, marathon race walk, 4x100m relay, and women's 100m, marathon, javelin throw, and half marathon race walk.