India will have two representatives in the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026, with Ashish Yadav and T. Dharanidharan successfully advancing from the qualification round.
Ashish Yadav produced a confident performance to finish second overall across both qualification groups, registering a best throw of 69.87m. His consistent display ensured a comfortable qualification and established him as one of the leading contenders heading into the final.
Joining him in the medal round is T. Dharanidharan, who secured the 12th and final qualifying spot with a best effort of 68.07m. The Indian thrower held his nerve in a closely contested qualification round to book his place among the world’s top junior javelin throwers.
The qualification competition was topped by South Africa’s Jan-Hendrik Heymans, who was the only athlete to surpass the automatic qualification standard, recording an impressive 76.02m to lead the field into the final.
India’s double qualification is a significant achievement, ensuring strong representation in one of the championship’s most competitive field events. With Ashish finishing second overall and Dharanidharan also progressing, the Indian contingent will have two opportunities to challenge for medals in the final.
Both athletes have demonstrated consistency throughout the season and will now aim to produce their best performances on the biggest stage in junior athletics. Ashish enters the final with momentum after one of the strongest qualification performances, while Dharanidharan will look to build on his successful progression and improve further in the medal contest.
With two Indian javelin throwers reaching the World U20 final, India continues to showcase its growing strength in the event at the junior level. The final promises to be an exciting contest as Ashish Yadav and T. Dharanidharan take on the world’s best young javelin throwers in pursuit of a podium finish.
Pathirage seized the gold medal with an authoritative, soaring throw of 89.75 meters, leaving a stunned field trailing in his wake. Long gone are the days when the event felt like a closed bilateral conversation. The young Sri Lankan phenom, whose meteoric rise this season has kept the athletics world on edge, delivered a super performance under pressure with poise. When the spear left his hand, it carried not just momentum, but a clear message to the old guard: a new titan has arrived to claim the throne.
India secured a commendable 2-3 podium finish, anchored by Neeraj Chopra’s silver. Chopra fought hard, posting a season-best of 85.83 meters, displaying the resilience of a seasoned champion who refuses to yield easily. Yet, sport is relentlessly unforgiving. It is a harsh theatre where you either fight back with everything you have or sit back and watch your crown being stripped away, one majestic throw at a time. Chopra understands this dynamic better than anyone, recognizing that the standards of global excellence have shifted upward once again.
The absolute surprise of the pack, however, came from further down the Indian ranks. Yash Vir Singh authored the fairytale script of the night, pulling out a stunning personal best of 85.41 meters in the final round. Singh unleashed the ace of his life when it mattered most, leapfrogging world-class contenders to capture a sensational bronze medal. It was a breakthrough moment that announced Singh as a formidable new force on the international circuit.
Further back, the narrative was defined by the shocking fall of former giants. Olympic Champion Arshad Nadeem had a night to forget, failing to even crack the top eight after a disjointed series of throws. Similarly, former Olympic Champion and present World Champion Keshorn Walcott laboured through the evening, muted and off-colour, eventually having to settle for a distant sixth place.
By Sundeep Misra
GLASGOW — Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi snatched a dramatic victory in the men’s shot put final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, launching a stunning fifth-round throw of 21.07 metres to dethrone defending champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand.
India will have three representatives in the men’s javelin throw final at the Commonwealth Games 2026, marking the first time ever that the country has qualified three athletes for the event’s medal round.
Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav and Yashvir all advanced to Friday’s (31 July) final after finishing among the top 12 performers in a challenging qualification round in Glasgow.
The qualification competition proved to be a test of resilience rather than distance, with strong headwinds preventing athletes from producing their best throws. As a result, no thrower managed to achieve the automatic qualification standard of 84.00m, meaning all finalists progressed based on their overall rankings.
Indian Qualification Results
- Neeraj Chopra – 79.61m (5th)
- Rohit Yadav – 78.37m (9th)
- Yashvir – 78.36m (10th)
Neeraj improved from an opening-round throw of 76.28m to 79.61m, comfortably securing his place in the final. Rohit also built on his first effort of 77.04m, adding more than a metre to finish with 78.37m, while Yashvir improved from 73.89m to 78.36m, ensuring all three Indians advanced.
Earlier in the competition, Sri Lanka’s Rumesh Pathirage led the field with an impressive 82.84m, while South Africa’s Douw Smit occupied second place with 80.64m after the opening round. Despite multiple attempts, no athlete was able to breach the 84-metre automatic qualifying mark as the headwind continued to hamper performances throughout the session.
Pathirage ultimately topped the qualification standings with his opening throw of 82.84m, the best mark of the day.
The historic qualification gives India three genuine contenders in the final, with Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra leading the charge alongside the in-form Rohit Yadav and Yashvir, who produced one of the strongest performances of his international career to book his place.
The men’s javelin throw final will be held on 31 July, where India will aim to convert its unprecedented three-athlete representation into another Commonwealth Games medal.
India will field one of the strongest men’s javelin throw squads at the Commonwealth Games 2026, with Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav, and Yash Vir Singh set to represent the country in Glasgow. With three athletes ranked among the leading selected competitors this season, India enters the competition with genuine hopes of multiple medals.
Among athletes selected for the Commonwealth Games, Rumesh Pathirage of Sri Lanka tops the season list with an outstanding 92.62m. Close behind is Rohit Yadav, whose sensational 87.05m lifetime best ranks second among the selected athletes. His breakthrough throw has established him as one of the leading contenders heading into Glasgow.
Anderson Peters of Grenada occupies third with 86.38m, while Australia’s Cameron McEntyre has recorded 85.73m. Two-time Olympic medallist Neeraj Chopra enters the Games with a season-best of 85.69m, placing him fifth on the selected list. Douw Smit of South Africa (84.79m) and Chinecherem Nnamdi of Nigeria (84.68m) are also among the top contenders, while Yash Vir Singh rounds out the top eight with a personal best of 83.76m.
India’s trio combines proven championship experience with emerging talent. Neeraj Chopra remains the country’s most accomplished javelin thrower and will once again lead the Indian challenge. Alongside him, Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh have enjoyed breakthrough campaigns, producing career-best throws of 87.05m and 83.76m, respectively, to establish themselves among the Commonwealth’s leading performers.
A notable feature of the 2026 season is India’s remarkable depth in the event. India is the only nation with three athletes ranked inside the top eight among the selected Commonwealth Games competitors, underlining the country’s growing strength in men’s javelin throw.
With an experienced champion in Neeraj Chopra and two rapidly improving throwers in Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh, India travels to Glasgow with one of the strongest javelin squads in the competition. If the trio reproduces its season-best form, the country will be well placed to challenge for top honours in one of the marquee field events of the Commonwealth Games.
For more visit Commonwealth Games 2026
India will be represented by Tajinderpal Singh Toor and Samardeep Gill in the men’s shot put at the Commonwealth Games 2026, with both athletes heading to Glasgow after impressive seasons that have strengthened India’s prospects in the event.
Leading the Indian challenge is Tajinderpal Singh Toor, who has enjoyed a strong return to form in 2026. The experienced shot putter has recorded a season-best of 21.03m, ranking him sixth among athletes selected for the Commonwealth Games. More importantly, Toor has crossed the 21-metre mark for the first time in two years, signalling an encouraging comeback ahead of one of the biggest competitions of the season.
Joining him is Samardeep Gill, who has emerged as one of India’s most promising young throwers. Samardeep produced a lifetime best of 20.46m, becoming a 20-metre thrower for the first time in his career. His breakthrough performance places him 12th among the selected Commonwealth athletes, underlining the steady progress he has made this season.
The competition in Glasgow is expected to be of the highest standard. New Zealand’s Tom Walsh leads the selected field with a world-class 21.82m, followed closely by Chukwuebuka Enekwechi of Nigeria at 21.74m. New Zealand’s Nick Palmer (21.19m) and Great Britain’s Scott Lincoln (21.16m) also enter the Games in strong form, while South Africa’s Aiden Smith (20.89m) and New Zealand’s Jacko Gill (20.64m) are among the other leading contenders.
India’s two representatives arrive with contrasting but equally encouraging stories. Toor brings experience and proven pedigree after returning beyond 21 metres, while Samardeep represents the next generation of Indian shot putting following his breakthrough season.
With Toor rediscovering his best form and Samardeep making rapid strides, India has a balanced combination of experience and emerging talent. Both athletes will be aiming to produce their best performances in Glasgow as they challenge a world-class field and seek to bring another Commonwealth Games medal home for Indian athletics.
For more visit Commonwealth Games 2026
| India and javelin have been producing wonders for many years now. A boy from Panipat, Haryana, who clinched India’s first-ever Olympic track & field gold medal in javelin at the Tokyo Olympics, sparked something much bigger. It has taken time, but now the results are visible for everyone to see.
Javelin has unofficially become one of the favourite sports for many Indians—not only to watch but also to compete in. More athletes are choosing the event, as reflected by the growing participation at the national level and the high standard of performances, which at times rival the global level. For example, at the latest Indian National Championships, Uttar Pradesh’s Rohit Yadav was trailing until the final round before producing a lifetime best throw of 87.05m to clinch the title. That mark currently stands as the second-best throw in the world this season. In the same competition, three athletes crossed the 80m mark. Interestingly, a total of seven Indian athletes have crossed the 80m mark this season, with two of them achieving the feat for the first time in their careers.
These seven Indian athletes are the highest by any nation this season. Collectively, they have also produced 16 performances over 80m this season—the highest total by any country.
These figures are based on World Athletics statistics as of 13 July 2026. As per World Athletics, only the best throw from a single competition is counted as one performance. The United States ranks second with three throwers crossing 80m a combined 14 times this season:
Germany has three throwers who have crossed the 80m mark a combined five times this season:
India’s neighbour Sri Lanka has one thrower, Rumesh Pathirage, who has crossed 80m seven times this season. He also owns the world-leading mark of 92.62m. Among the top 10 throws in the world this season, India has two entries—Rohit Yadav’s 87.05m is ranked second, while Neeraj Chopra’s 85.69m is fifth. Apart from India, only the United States has two throwers in the world’s top 10 this season. |
India celebrated a successful outing in the men’s javelin throw at the 2026 Asian U23 Athletics Championships, with Anand Singh winning the gold medal and Shivam securing bronze.
Anand Singh produced a stunning lifetime-best throw of 80.57m to claim the Asian U23 title, becoming India’s newest member of the prestigious 80m club. His championship-winning effort marked the first time he crossed the 80-metre barrier, improving significantly on his previous personal best.
China’s Wang Xiaobo finished second with a throw of 79.41m, while India’s Shivam claimed the bronze medal with 77.70m, completing a double podium finish for the country.
The gold and bronze medals underline India’s growing strength in men’s javelin throw, with Anand’s breakthrough performance emerging as one of the standout moments of the championships.
Rohit Yadav delivered the performance of his career at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026, producing a sensational 87.05m throw to win the men’s javelin throw title and secure qualification for the upcoming Asian Games.
The massive effort marked a new lifetime best for Rohit and established a new meet record, making it one of the standout performances of the championships. Competing against the country’s top javelin throwers, he rose to the occasion with a throw that not only earned him the national title but also elevated him into the elite ranks of Indian athletics.
Rohit’s remarkable 87.05m effort now stands as the third-best throw in Indian history, underlining the significance of his achievement. The distance also places him at World No. 2 this season, highlighting the quality of the performance on the global stage and showcasing his potential ahead of major international competitions.
The victory represents a defining moment in Rohit’s career. Having consistently featured among India’s leading javelin throwers, he produced a breakthrough performance when it mattered most, surpassing his previous lifetime best by a significant margin. His ability to deliver under championship conditions reflects both his technical progress and competitive maturity.
The throw comfortably exceeded the Asian Games qualification standard, ensuring that Rohit has booked his place among India’s leading contenders for the continental event. His performance also reinforces the country’s continued strength in the men’s javelin throw, a discipline that has seen remarkable growth in recent years.
The Interstate Championships once again proved to be the perfect stage for athletes to achieve career milestones, and Rohit Yadav’s record-breaking effort was undoubtedly among the highlights of the meet. With a new meet record, a lifetime best, the third-best throw in Indian history, and the world’s second-best mark of the season, Rohit has firmly announced himself as one of the leading javelin throwers on the international circuit.
As the Asian Games approach, his outstanding performance provides another major boost for Indian athletics.
The men’s shot put competition at the 65th National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships 2026 produced one of the standout field-event performances of the meet, with three athletes surpassing the Asian Games qualification standard in a highly competitive contest.
Leading the field was Karanveer Singh, who claimed the national title with a remarkable throw of 20.49m, registering a new lifetime best. The performance marked a significant milestone in his career, as he crossed the coveted 20-metre mark for the first time in more than four years. His breakthrough effort not only earned him the gold medal but also secured the Asian Games qualification standard.
Finishing close behind was Samardeep Gill, who delivered an impressive throw of 20.40m to take the silver medal. Consistent throughout the competition, Samardeep comfortably exceeded the qualification benchmark, further demonstrating the growing depth in Indian men’s shot put.
Completing the podium was experienced campaigner Tajinder Pal Singh Toor, who secured the bronze medal with a throw of 20.27m. The former national record holder once again showcased his ability to compete at the highest domestic level, joining Karanveer and Samardeep in breaching the Asian Games qualification mark.
The event highlighted the strength of Indian men’s shot put, with all three medal winners surpassing the required qualification standard in the same competition. Such performances underline the healthy competition within the discipline and reflect the steady progress being made by Indian throwers ahead of major international events.
Karanveer Singh’s lifetime best was undoubtedly the highlight of the competition, signaling a return to top form and rewarding years of perseverance. Meanwhile, the consistent performances of Samardeep Gill and Tajinder Pal Singh Toor ensured that the event remained one of the highest-quality field contests of the championships.
With three athletes achieving the qualification standard, the men’s shot put competition provided another encouraging boost for Indian athletics, reinforcing the country’s growing strength in the throwing events as preparations continue for the Asian Games.
