New Delhi has announced the 54-member Indian team for the upcoming Asian Athletics Championships, which will be held in Bangkok, Thailand, from July 12 to 16. The team, led by Olympian Anju Bobby George, includes nine Malayalis. The training camp for the team will be held in Patiala, Bengaluru, and Thiruvananthapuram, and they will depart for Bangkok on July 9.
Among the 28-member men’s team, seven are Malayalis. M Sreesankar will represent India in the long jump event, while Jinson Johnson will compete in the 1500m race. Muhammad Afzal will participate in the 800m event, and Abdullah Abubakar will showcase his skills in the triple jump. Mohammad Ajmal will take part in the 400m race, as well as the 4 x 400m relay and mixed relay events. Muhammad Anas is a member of the relay team. Amoj Jacob, a Malayali from Delhi, will participate in both relays, and Kannada Malayali Mijo Chacko Kurien is also part of the relay team. Ansi Sojan will represent India in the long jump event, while Jisna Mathew will be part of the 4 x 400m relay team. These two athletes are the only Malayali women among the 26-member women’s team.
The men’s team also includes Rajesh Ramesh, Krishan Kumar, Ajay Kumar Saroj, Gulveer Singh, Abhishek Pal, Mohammad Nurhasan, Bal Kishan, Yashas Palaksha, Santhosh Kumar Tamilarashan, Tejashwin Shankar, Sarvesh Anil, Jeswin Aldrin, Praveen Chitravel, and Tajinder Pal Singh Thur. Karanvir Singh, Rohit Yadav, Manu Prakash, Akshdeep Singh, Vikas Singh, Nihal Joel William, and Mijo Chacko Kurien are also part of the team.
The women’s team includes Jyoti Yaraji, Aishwarya Kailash Mishra, Chanda, Lavika Sharma, Lily Das, Ankita, Parul Choudhary, Sanjeevini Jadhav, Prithi, Nithya Ramraj, Pooja, Rubina Yadav, Baranika Elangovan, Pishla Singh, Aba Kathua, Manpreet Kaur, Annu Rani, Swapna Burman, Priyanka, Bhavna Jat, Risona Mallick, Jyothika Sri, Anjali Devi, and Subha Venkatesan.
The Indian team is expected to put up a strong performance at the Asian Athletics Championships, and the inclusion of talented Malayali athletes adds to the excitement.
How does the selection process for the Indian team for the Asian Athletics Championships prioritize athletes who meet the necessary qualification standard?
Udes 30 men and 24 women athletes, who will compete in various events including track and field, jumps, throws, and relays.
The selection committee, comprising officials from the Athletics Federation of India (AFI), carefully considered the performances of athletes in the recently concluded Federation Cup in order to finalize the team. Athletes who obtained the necessary qualification standard for the Asian Athletics Championships were given priority.
The team comprises a mix of experienced athletes and promising young talent. Some of the notable athletes in the squad include Neeraj Chopra, a javelin thrower and Asian Games gold medallist, Tejaswin Shankar, a high jumper who holds the national record, and Dutee Chand, a sprinter who recently made headlines by becoming the first Indian athlete to qualify for the 100 meters at the Olympics since PT Usha in 1980.
AFI President Adille Sumariwala expressed confidence in the team’s abilities and hopes for a good showing at the Asian Athletics Championships. He stated that this competition would provide a great platform for Indian athletes to showcase their talent and competitiveness against some of the best athletes in Asia.
The Asian Athletics Championships is a prestigious event in the region, and success at this competition can significantly boost an athlete’s international reputation. It also serves as an important opportunity for athletes to qualify for major global events such as the World Championships and the Olympics.
With the Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, the Indian team’s performance at the Asian Athletics Championships will be closely watched by sports enthusiasts and experts alike. A strong showing in Bangkok will not only boost the athletes’ chances of qualifying for the Olympics but also raise hopes for a medal-winning performance.
The Indian contingent will be aiming to improve upon their previous performances at the Asian Athletics Championships. In the 2019 edition held in Doha, India secured 17 medals, including three golds. This year, the team will be looking to surpass their previous records and make a mark on the international stage.
As the athletes prepare for the championship, they are receiving support and encouragement from the sports authorities and the people of India. The government and various sports organizations have been providing necessary resources and facilities to ensure the team’s preparation is comprehensive and effective.
The Asian Athletics Championships is an event of great significance for Indian athletics. It not only provides a platform for athletes to compete against top-notch competition but also represents an opportunity for India to assert its presence on the Asian athletics stage.
“This is great news! Excited to see the Indian team showcase their skills and bring home medals at the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok. Best of luck to all the athletes!”
“Thrilled to see the Indian team announced for the 2023 Asian Athletics Championships in Bangkok! Wishing our talented athletes all the best as they strive for glory and make our nation proud. Go Team India!”