New Delhi: The Indian athletics team was greeted with a hero’s welcome upon their return home following an outstanding performance at the 26th Asian Athletics Championships, which took place from May 27 to 31, 2025, in Gumi, South Korea. The team achieved a total of 24 medals—eight gold, ten silver, and six bronze—resulting in India securing second place in the overall medal standings, just behind China, which led the table with 26 medals, including 15 gold.
The event, held at the Gumi Civic Stadium, witnessed the participation of more than 2,000 athletes from 43 different countries. Indian athletes displayed remarkable resilience, skill, and record-setting achievements that captured the attention of the nation and received commendation from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who praised their “exceptional performance” and evident commitment during the tournament.
The championships, the third time South Korea has hosted the event since 1975 and 2005, provided a challenging yet inspiring stage for India’s 60-member contingent. Despite wet and testing conditions in Gumi, Indian athletes excelled across track and field events, improving their gold medal count from six in the 2023 Bangkok edition to eight this year, though the total medal tally dipped slightly from 27. The Athletics Federation of India, which finalised the squad after the Federation Cup in Kochi in April, saw its rigorous selection process pay dividends, with standout performances from both seasoned Olympians and emerging talents.
Among the brightest stars was Gulveer Singh, a 26-year-old Indian Army runner from Haryana, who made history as the first Indian to win two gold medals at a single Asian Athletics Championships. Singh’s victories in the men’s 10,000 metres and 5,000 metres were marked by impressive timings of 28:38.64 and a personal best, respectively. His double triumph, a feat not achieved by an Indian in the 26 editions of the championships, underscored his growing stature as a distance running powerhouse, further cemented by his bronze medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. Singh’s determination was echoed by his own words, as he stated his goal in Gumi was to secure first place in both events, a mission he accomplished with aplomb.
Jyothi Yarraji from Andhra Pradesh also etched her name in the record books, clinching gold in the women’s 100 metres hurdles with a time that set a new championship record. Her performance, alongside her qualification for the women’s 200 metres final with a time of 23.74 seconds, highlighted her versatility and speed. Yarraji’s hurdles victory was particularly poignant, as she overcame challenging conditions to deliver a performance that inspired fans back home. The women’s 4×400 metres relay team, featuring Rupal Chaudhary, Subha Venkatesan, Jisna Mathew, Kunja Rajitha, and Sandramol Sabu, added another gold to India’s tally, clocking a season-best time and showcasing the strength of India’s relay squads.
Avinash Sable, a national record-holder in the men’s 3,000 metres steeplechase, ended a 36-year drought for India in the event by securing gold with a season-best time of 8:20.92, outpacing Japan’s Yutaro Niinae and Qatar’s Zakaria Elahlaami. Sable, who won silver in the same event in 2019, demonstrated remarkable resilience, having been granted an exemption from the Federation Cup trials due to his elite status. His victory was a testament to the growing depth in Indian middle-distance running.
Parul Chaudhary, another national record-holder, shone brightly with a silver medal in the women’s 3,000 metres steeplechase, setting a new national record, and added a second silver in the 5,000 metres with a time of 15:15.33. Her performances underscored her consistency and ability to compete at the highest level. Nandini Agasara’s gold in the women’s heptathlon, bolstered by strong showings in the javelin throw and 800 metres, and Pooja’s gold in the women’s high jump further highlighted the breadth of India’s talent across disciplines.
The men’s javelin throw, a focal point on the final day, saw debutant Sachin Yadav deliver a personal best to claim silver, while Yashvir Singh also qualified for the medal round. The women’s 4×100 metres relay team, comprising Abinaya Rajarajan, Sneha SS, Srabani Nanda, and Nithya Gandhe, secured a silver with a season-best 43.86 seconds. Other notable performances included Vithya Ramraj and Anu Raghavan advancing to the women’s 400 metres hurdles final, and middle-distance runners Anu Kumar and Krishan Kumar qualifying for the men’s 800 metres final.
Despite the absence of Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra, who opted to focus on the Doha Diamond League and the Neeraj Chopra Classic, the Indian contingent’s depth was evident. Athletes like Praveen Chithravel in the triple jump, Tejaswin Shankar in the decathlon, and Annu Rani in the women’s javelin throw, who finished third with a throw of 58.30 metres, carried India’s hopes with distinction. The team’s performance was all the more remarkable given the provisional suspension of quartermiler Sneha Kolleri for a doping violation, which tested the squad’s resilience.
The championships, streamed live on the STN SPORTS YouTube channel in India due to the absence of television coverage, sparked widespread celebration on social media. Posts on X reflected national pride, with users highlighting Singh’s double gold, Sable’s historic steeplechase win, and Yarraji’s record-breaking hurdles performance. Prime Minister Modi’s message on X, congratulating the contingent and wishing them success in future endeavours, resonated deeply, reflecting the nation’s admiration for its athletes.
India’s ability to finish second in such a competitive field, ahead of traditional powerhouses like Japan, signalled a new era for Indian athletics. The contingent’s achievements, built on years of hard work and strategic preparation by the Athletics Federation of India, have set a high bar for future competitions, with athletes like Singh, Yarraji, and Sable poised to lead the charge.
As India celebrates this triumphant chapter, the focus now shifts to sustaining this momentum. The athletes’ performances in Gumi not only brought glory to the nation but also inspired a new generation of runners, jumpers, and throwers. With the support of a proud nation, India’s track and field stars are ready to chase even greater heights.
– global bihari bureau
