This season has been one of the best in the history of Indian athletics, with around 30 national records being bettered in a single season. With the LA 2028 Olympics’ automatic qualification standards now published, several Indian athletes are closing in on the required marks. Here are five athletes and events to watch in the upcoming season.
This season has been one of the best in the history of Indian athletics, with around 30 national records being bettered in a single season.
With the LA 2028 Olympics’ automatic qualification standards now published, here is a look at the Indian athletes who are closest to these marks and could breach them in the upcoming season.
1. Murali Sreeshankar
The Asian Games silver medallist registered a season-best jump of 8.38m this season. What makes this performance even more impressive is that he achieved it after returning from a career-threatening injury.
He suffered another injury at the Asian Games, but given his previous comeback, we know he has the ability to return stronger next season. With the LA 2028 automatic qualification standard set at 8.30m, Sreeshankar will be looking to build on his performances and go even further.
Along with Sreeshankar, David P and Lokesh Sathyanathan have also registered jumps of 8.21m and 8.22m, respectively, this season. Both will be athletes to watch out for.
2. Gulveer Singh
India’s biggest hope in middle- and long-distance running, Gulveer Singh will be another athlete to watch out for next season.
He will be targeting the qualification standards in both the 5,000m and 10,000m. Although both standards are currently beyond his personal bests, Gulveer has demonstrated his potential in the past and will be aiming to better his national records and lifetime bests to secure Olympic qualification.
3. Ancy Sojan
One of the standout Indian athletes of 2026, Ancy Sojan will be another athlete to watch out for next season.
She broke the national record this season with a lifetime-best jump of 6.88m, just 2cm short of the LA 2028 automatic qualification standard of 6.90m.
Ancy has repeatedly expressed her ambition to cross the 7m mark, and she certainly has the potential to achieve it.
4. Sarvesh Kushare
India’s new national record holder in the men’s high jump, Sarvesh Kushare, cleared 2.31m to better the previous national record.
With the LA 2028 automatic qualification standard set at 2.32m, Kushare is just 1cm away. He will be aiming to produce another personal best and breach the Olympic qualification mark next season.
5. Men’s Javelin Throw
The men’s javelin throw automatic qualification standard of 85.50m appears to be one of the more achievable marks for Indian athletes.
This season, three Indian athletes, Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav and Yashvir Singh, have registered performances close to or beyond this benchmark. Considering India’s strength and depth in javelin throw, we can expect multiple athletes to challenge and potentially breach the automatic qualification standard next season.