The Evolution of Indian Athletics: Challenges and Triumphs

Indian athletics is experiencing a transformative phase, with Neeraj Chopra leading the way despite recent setbacks. Emerging talents like Sachin Yadav and Gulveer Singh are making headlines, while the sport grapples with doping issues. This article delves into the highs and lows of Indian athletics, showcasing both the achievements and the challenges that lie ahead. Discover how the future of this sport is shaping up amidst these changes.

By Narendra Chaudhary Dec 31, 2025, 06:10 IST

Current Landscape of Indian Athletics

Indian athletics is undergoing significant changes. Neeraj Chopra, a two-time Olympic and World Championships medalist, continues to be a dominant figure, but questions arise about his future. This season has been a mix for Neeraj, who successfully surpassed the 90-meter mark, yet his disappointing performance at the Tokyo World Championships raised concerns about the future of Indian athletics, particularly in javelin throw.

Neeraj Chopra's Journey

Neeraj first gained attention by winning the 2016 IAAF World U20 Championships in Poland with a throw of 86.48m. His aspiration to become the first Indian javelin thrower to breach the 90m barrier was finally achieved on May 16, 2025, at the Doha Diamond League, where he recorded a throw of 90.23m. Although he finished second to Julian Weber, this achievement silenced his critics.

Setbacks and Future Prospects

Following his success in May, Neeraj faced a setback due to a back injury, culminating in an 8th place finish at the World Championships—his first time off the podium in 26 competitions. Meanwhile, Sachin Yadav demonstrated the potential of Indian javelin throwers by narrowly missing a medal with a fourth-place finish and a throw of 86.27m. An official from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) expressed optimism about Sachin's ability to consistently throw over 90m.

Emerging Talents

Gulveer Singh has also made headlines this season, becoming the first Indian to complete the 5,000m in under 13 minutes, clocking 12:59.77, which set a new Asian Indoor record and secured his spot at the World Championships. Although he did not reach the finals in Tokyo, his progress has garnered attention from athletics enthusiasts.

Similarly, Mohammed Afsal had an impressive season, breaking the national record in the 800m with a time of 1:44.93 in Poland, becoming the first Indian to finish under 1:45.

Relay Team Breaks Records

The 4×100 relay team, consisting of Gurindervir Singh, Animesh Kujur, Manikanta Hoblidhar, and Amlan Borgohain, also made waves by breaking a 15-year-old national record with a time of 38.69 seconds at the national open relay meet, surpassing the previous record of 38.89 seconds set during the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Doping Challenges

Despite the progress in Indian athletics, issues like doping and misconduct remain prevalent. According to the latest World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) report, India leads with 222 anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs), with athletics accounting for 26% of these cases. This alarming statistic highlights the ongoing battle that both the federation and the National Anti-Doping Agency face in combating doping.

Additionally, there have been instances of athletes using fraudulent documents to evade anti-doping suspensions. The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) is currently investigating a case involving an athlete who managed to create three different Unique IDs (UIDs) to compete while under a doping ban.

Sachin Poswal, who is suspended until 2028, successfully deceived the AFI by using fake documents, including Aadhaar cards, to participate in two Delhi state meets and the National Junior (U20) Federation Athletics Championships.

Moreover, a NADA volunteer, Shivam Yadav, who was tasked with collecting samples during a Delhi state meet, was reportedly assaulted outside the stadium by several athletes, including international U-20 medalist Aman Chaudhary.