Neeraj Chopra, 18 others from India for World Athletics Championships, 2 Malayalis in squad

Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra headlines India's 19-member team for the World Athletics Championships. For the first time, India will field four men's javelin throwers in the event to be held in Tokyo from September 13 to 21. Meanwhile, two Malayalis -- long jumper M Sreeshankar and triple jumper Abdulla Aboobacker -- are part of the contingent.

Besides Chopra, who will head into the Worlds as one of the favourites, Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav are the other Indian javelin throwers who made the cut. In the previous edition, four Indians qualified for javelin, but Rohit was forced to pull out with an injury.

Parul, Annu Rani, Priyanka, Ankit and Pooja are the five women in the Indian team, which was announced by the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on Sunday.

However, 3000m steeplechaser Avinash Sable, who earned automatic qualification, will miss the event as he underwent ACL surgery in July. "Sable, Akshdeep and Nandini are not in the team as they are not medically fit," AFI spokesperson Adille Sumariwalla said at a virtual press meet.

In the previous edition held in Budapest in 2023, India sent 28 athletes. Having cleared 90 metres for the first time earlier this year, Chopra will be expected to finish on the podium again.

Indian team:
Men: Neeraj Chopra, Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav (men's javelin), Murali Sreeshankar (men's long jump), Gulveer Singh (men's 5,000m and 10,000m), Praveen Chithravel and Abdulla Aboobacker (men's triple jump), Sarvesh Anil Kushare (men's high jump), Animesh Kujur (men's 200m), Tejas Shirse (men's 110m hurdles), Servin Sebastian (men's 20km race walk), Ram Baboo and Sandeep Kumar (men's 35km race walk).

Women: Parul Chaudhary and Ankita Dhyani (women's 3000m steeplechase), Annu Rani (women's javelin), Priyanka Goswami (women's 35km race walk), Pooja (women's 800m and 1500m).