Olympic gold medalist and star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra will once again headline India’s campaign in the World Athletics Championships 2023. The tournament will commence on August 19 in Budapest, Hungary, as Chopra leads the 28-member contingent. Surprisingly, the Sports Ministry announced the team for the event instead of the Athletics Federation of India (AFI).
Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who holds the Asian record in shot put, will miss the event as he is recovering from a groin injury sustained during the Asian Championships in July.
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National record holder high jumper Tejaswin Shankar, 800m runner K M Chanda, and 20km race walker Priyanka Goswami (also a national record holder) have also decided to skip the World Championships as they wanted to focus on the Asian Games (September 23–October 8) in Hangzhou, China.
Reigning Diamond League champion Chopra is seeking to clinch a gold medal in Budapest after winning a silver in the last edition in Eugene, USA, in 2022.
India’s contingent for World Athletics Championships 2023
Women: Jyothi Yarraji (100m Hurdles), Parul Chaudhary (3000m Steeplechase), Shaili Singh (Long Jump), Annu Rani (Javelin Throw), Bhawna Jat (20km Race Walk).
Men: Krishan Kumar (800m), Ajay Kumar Saroj (1500m), Santhosh Kumar Tamilarnsan (400m Hurdles), Avinash Mukund Sable (3000m Steeplechase), Sarvesh Anil Kushare (High Jump), Jeswin Aldrin (Long Jump), M Sreeshankar (Long Jump), Praveen Chithravel (Triple Jump), Abdulla Aboobacker (Triple Jump), Eldhose Paul (Triple Jump), Neeraj Chopra (Javelin Throw), DP Manu (Javelin Throw), Kishore Kumar Jena (Javelin Throw), Akashdeep Singh (20km Race Walk), Vikash Singh (20km Race Walk), Paramjeet Singh (20km Race Walk), Ram Baboo (35km Race Walk), Amoj Jacob, Muhammed Ajmal, Muhammed Anas, Rajesh Ramesh, Anil Rajalingam, Mijo Chacko Kurian (Men’s 4x400m Relay).
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