World Athletics Championships

World Athletics Head Coe awaits India's bid for 2029 championships

World Athletics President Sebastian Coe says his organisation will "await with interest" India's expected bid for the 2029 World Championships but indicated that there will be tough competition from other countries to get the hosting right of the showpiece. The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) is set to formally express its interest to host the 2029 World Championships when the process is launched in the next few months, in line with the country's plan to stage a series of high-profile events to mount a serious bid for the 2036 Olympics. "The 2029 World Championships, look, we will await with interest (India's expected bid). I have to tell you, we've got a lot of interest in those Championships already, and the process will open shortly," Coe replied to a PTI question during a virtual conference with the global media. It was in December last year when the AFI first revealed its intention to bid for the 2029 World Championships. The bidding process is expected to start in ...

Neeraj Chopra urges MEA to resolve javelin thrower Jena's visa problems

Olympic gold medalist Neeraj Chopra on Thursday sought Ministry of External Affairs' intervention to resolve the visa issue of Kishore Jena so that his fellow javelin thrower can compete in the upcoming World Athletics Championships. The Athletics Federation of India on Wednesday said the Odisha javelin thrower's one-month visa was cancelled by the Embassy of Hungary in Delhi, rendering him a doubtful starter at the marquee athletics event slated in Budapest from August 19-27. Taking to his social media handle X (formerly Twitter), Chopra urged Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar to "find a solution". Just heard that there are issues with Kishore Jena's VISA, preventing him from entering Hungary for the World C'ships. I hope the authorities are able to find a solution, as this is one of the biggest moments of his career. Let's do everything we can, he posted tagging MEA and Jaishankar. Jena, who won gold in the Sri Lankan National Championships on July 30 with a personal best

Chopra happy with his adductor, to address recurring issue post Olympics

Indian javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra has opened up about his adductor niggle which has affected his season, saying he will consult "different doctors" after the Paris Olympics to address the nagging issue. Chopra returned to competitions after a month-long break to fetch his maiden gold medal at the Paavo Nurmi Games here on Tuesday with an effort of 85.97m, which came in his third attempt. The 26-year-old, who created history by becoming the first Indian to win a track and field medal at the Tokyo Olympics, had withdrawn from last month's Ostrava Golden Spike as a precautionary measure after he felt something in his adductor (group of muscles located on inner thighs). "The weather was good today, a little bit cold with the wind. But I am happy with my adductor now because I could do all 6 throws," Chopra said after the win. "Every year I have some problems with my adductor, maybe after the Olympics I am going to talk to different doctors." Chopra, however, expressed the desire to

Neeraj Chopra in final list for Men's World Athlete of the Year Award

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was on Tuesday shortlisted for men's 'World Athlete of the Year' award. The 25-year-old Indian was one of the five athletes shortlisted for the prestigious honour. "The five athletes, who represent four countries from four area associations, have achieved sensational performances across a range of athletics disciplines in 2023, winning titles and breaking world records at the World Athletics Championships 2023, one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world," World Athletics said in a release. The other male athletes in the final list are USA's Ryan Crouser (shot put), Sweden's Mondo Duplantis (Pole vault), Kenya's Kelvin Kiptum (marathon) and USA's Noah Lyles (100m/200m). The award will be announced on World Athletics' platforms on December 11.

Neeraj Chopra among 11 nominees for men's World Athlete of Year

Olympic and world champion javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra was on Thursday named as one of the 11 nominees for the 2023 men's World Athlete of the Year award. The 11 nominees were selected by an international panel of athletics experts, comprising representatives from all six continental areas of World Athletics. The nominations reflect some of the standout performances achieved at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, one-day meeting circuits, Label road races and other events around the world, the international governing body of the sport said. The other nominees are shot putter Ryan Crouser of USA, pole vaulters Mondo Duplantis of Sweden, 3000m steeplechaser Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco, Jakob Ingebrigtsen of Norway (1500m/5000m), marathoner Kelvin Kiptum of Kenya, decathlete Pierce LePage of Canada, sprinter Noah Lyles of USA, race walker Alvaro Martin of Spain, long jumper Miltiadis Tentoglou of Greece and 400m hurdler Karsten Warholm of Norway. A three-way voting ..

I was competing with myself, not with Neeraj Chopra: Arshad Nadeem

Pakistan's World Championships silver medallist javelin thrower Arshad Nadeem does not consider Indian gold winner Neeraj Chopra as his main rival, saying he competes with himself. Nadeem on Sunday became the first athlete from Pakistan to win a medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, while Olympic champion Chopra won the gold. Asked if Chopra was his main rival in the World Championships, Nadeem said, "No. I myself is the only competitor to Arshad Nadeem. I did not think I was competing to win against anybody." Chopra won gold with a throw of 88.17m while reigning Commonwealth Games gold medallist Nadeem took the silver with his season's best throw of 87.82m. Nadeem said he was happy at Chopra winning the gold. "At the world level, two Asians finished first and second. Neeraj bhai won the gold medal and I am very happy. Sometimes he will win the gold, sometimes I will," Nadeem was quoted as saying by 'BBC'. "I went to Guwahati in India for South-Asian Ga

World champion Neeraj Chopra finishes second in Zurich Diamond League

Newly-crowned world champion Neeraj Chopra was not at his best but still finished second with a final round throw of 85.71m in the men's javelin event of the Diamond League Meeting here on Thursday. The 25-year-old Chopra, also the reigning Olympic champion, produced three legal throws of 80.79m, 85.22m and 85.71m while the remaining three were fouls. He finished behind Jakub Vadlejch (85.86m) of Czech Republic, who had won a bronze in the World Championships. The Indian superstar, who was unbeaten this season before Thursday, qualified for the Diamond League finals to be held on September 17 in Eugene, USA, with 23 points from three meets. He had won the Diamond League trophy last year. He had won the Diamond League Meetings in Doha (May 5) and Lausanne (June 30) -- his only two competitions before winning a historic gold in the World Championships in Budapest on Sunday with a throw of 88.17m. During the pre-event press conference here, Chopra had said that he was feeling a bit of

India set to bid for 2027 World Athletics Championships: Neeraj Chopra

India will be bidding for the 2027 World Athletics Championships, claims Olympic and World Championship gold medallist javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra here on Wednesday. Asked during a press conference on the eve of the Diamond League meet about India's possibility of hosting the World Championships in 2027, Chopra said: "They (India) are bidding. I will request them (fans), and hopefully, they will come in great capacity)." "Now, javelin (throw) is famous in India. I have always said in Indian interviews that we need to understand athletics and be knowledgeable about it because athletics is not only javelin throw. There are so many events involved (in athletics). So, if they don't come, I will push them (to come). "The Indian people are so supportive, and they are now following athletics and taking interest in athletics. Three javelin throwers from India have finished in best six in Budapest (recently-concluded World Championships)." According to people in the know how of developmen

Neeraj Chopra's win at World Athletics Championship: Achievements so far

While Neeraj Chopra has defeated biggies like Johannes Vetter, Julius Yego, and Arshad Nadeem at various events, Chopra still chases his first 90-metre throw, unlike these rivals

Here's how Neeraj Chopra achieved best fitness ahead of historic feat

No Sugar, no cold drinks and a lot of Gymnastics were Neeraj Chopra's go-to mantra apart from medications to come back from injury. It required mental strength more than physical for Chopra to recover

'Wanted to throw more than 90m but..': Neeraj Chopra on World Athletics win

After the second round, I considered pushing myself because I knew I could get a better throw, but there is a lot of pressure on technique and speed, says Neeraj Chopra

'India is proud': President Droupadi Murmu congratulates Neeraj Chopra

President Droupadi Murmu on Monday congratulated Neeraj Chopra for becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal at the World Athletics Championships and said his performance will inspire millions of the country's youth. "India is proud of Neeraj Chopra. I convey my heartiest congratulations to him. I wish his legend grows with more such feats," she said. Chopra on Sunday scripted history by winning the gold with a big throw of 88.17m in the men's javelin final at the Championships in Budapest, Hungary. "Neeraj Chopra adds yet another golden page to the history of Indian sports by becoming the first ever Indian to win a gold medal in World Athletics Championships. His superlative performance in the javelin throw finals at Budapest will inspire millions of our youth," the President said on microblogging site X. In another first, three Indians finished in top eight with Kishore Jena (84.77m) and DP Manu (84.14m) taking the fifth and sixth spots, respectively. Never before did three .

Exemplifies excellence: PM Modi hails Neeraj Chopra for winning gold medal

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Monday hailed Neeraj Chopra for winning a gold medal in the men's javelin at the World Athletics Championships, saying his dedication, precision and passion make him not just a champion in athletics but a symbol of unparalleled excellence in the entire sports world. Chopra on Sunday scripted history yet again as he became the first Indian to win a gold medal in the World Athletics Championships with a big throw of 88.17m in the men's javelin final in Budapest, Hungary. In another first, three Indians finished in top eight with Kishore Jena (84.77m) and DP Manu (84.14m) taking the fifth and sixth spots, respectively. Never before did three Indians finish in the top eight of an event in the World Championships. In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said, "The talented @Neeraj_chopra1 exemplifies excellence. His dedication, precision and passion make him not just a champion in athletics but a symbol of unparalleled excellence in the entire sports ...

Proud moment: 'Golden Boy' Neeraj Chopra's father brims with pride

Neeraj Chopra's father Satish Kumar said, 'This is a very proud moment for our country as we also got a gold medal in the World Championship. We will celebrate once Neeraj comes back to India.'

'He exemplifies excellence': PM Modi lauds Neeraj Chopra for historic feat

This is Neeraj's second medal at the World Championships after he secured a silver last year

Neeraj Chopra's record: The 'Golden Boy' now has everything javelin offers

Olympic and World Champion Neeraj Chopra has won gold in Asian Games (2018) and CWG (2018), besides four individual Diamond League Meeting titles and the Diamond League champion's trophy last year.

Army congratulates Neeraj Chopra on bagging 1st-ever World Athletics Gold

Neeraj recorded his best throw of 88.17 m in his second attempt and managed to keep his lead intact till the very end

World Athletics 2023: Neeraj Chopra wins Gold, scripts yet another history

Neeraj Chopra made history in the early hours of Monday, capturing his country's first-ever gold medal at the World Athletics Championships and edging out Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem by less than a meter

Parul qualifies for Paris Olympics; Men's 4x400M relay team finishes 5th

he Indian men's 4x400 metres relay team ended in the fifth position in the 4x400 metres relay race final at the World Athletics Championships 2023.

The Neeraj Chopra story: A chubby village kid to Indian sporting pantheon

For someone who was cajoled into taking up sport to shed weight, Neeraj Chopra's rise to stardom from a Haryana village has been nothing short of spectacular, and at 25, he is on course to becoming one of India's greatest sporting icons. Two years ago, his spear soared high into the Tokyo sky as he became the country's first Olympics track and field gold medal winner. He was just 23, as he became only the second Indian to win an individual gold medal in the Olympics after legendary shooter Abhinav Bindra. A star was born overnight in a country that had for long craved for the ultimate success in sport's biggest platform. Before Bindra, who won the 10m air rifle gold in 2008 Beijing Olympics, India's eight other yellow metals at the Games had come from hockey, a team game. With his gold medal on Sunday in the World Championships, the legend of Chopra continued to grow. He is now only the second Indian -- again after Bindra -- to simultaneously hold the Olympics and World Championsh