Neeraj Chopra, Animesh Kujur headline India's athletics squad for 2026 Commonwealth Games
New Delhi, June 14
The Athletics Federation of India has announced the 32-member Indian athletics team, including 10 women, for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, set to be played from July 22 to August 2, according to the AFI website.
The men's athletics squad is headlined by two-time Olympic medallist and star javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra, athletes Animesh Kujur and Gurindervir Singh, amongst others. Tejas Shirse, who rewrote the national record in the 110m hurdles by clocking an outstanding 13.27 seconds at the Indian Athletics Series 9 on Saturday, also made the cut for the CWG 2026 squad.
The Indian men's athletics contingent includes Gurindervir Singh (100m), Animesh Kujur (200m), Gulveer Singh (5000m and 10,000m), Tejas Ashok Shirse (110m hurdles), Yashas P and Santhosh Kumar Tamilarasan (400m hurdles), Sarvesh Anil Kushare and Aadarsh Ram J (high jump), Dev Meena and Kuldeep Kumar (pole vault), Sreeshankar M and Lokesh Sathyanathan (long jump), Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu (triple jump), Samardeep Singh Gill and Tajinderpal Singh Toor (shot put), Neeraj Chopra, Rohit Yadav and Yash Vir Singh (javelin throw), Tejaswin Shankar (decathlon and high jump), and Vishal TK and Rajesh Ramesh (400m and 4x400m relay).
The women's athletics squad features Parul Chaudhary, who will compete in the 3000m steeplechase and 5000m events, Pooja in high jump, Manpreet Kaur in shot put, Seema and Nidhi Rani in discus throw, and Ravina and Priyanka in the 10,000m race walk. The team also includes Ansa Babu, Rashdeep Kaur and Neeru Pathak, who have been selected for the 4x400m relay event.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Great to see 10 women in the squad! Parul Chaudhary in both steeplechase and 5000m is a tough combo. And Pooja in high jump, Manpreet Kaur in shot put - our women are really stepping up. Hope the government provides them with proper training facilities and nutrition support. We need to nurture this talent pool.
Animesh Kujur in 200m is a pleasant surprise. But our middle and long distance runners need more attention - Gulveer Singh in 5000m and 10000m is an ambitious call. Let's see if he can improve on his personal best in Glasgow. Also, why is there no steeplechaser for men?
Honestly, this is a decent squad but we always seem to underperform in track events. Tejas Shirse is a ray of hope though. And Neeraj Chopra is obviously the star. Just wish we had more depth in sprints. Also, kudos to Sreeshankar M and Lokesh Sathyanathan in long jump - they've been consistent.
Yaar, I'm just so proud seeing Indian athletes getting selected. From my village in UP, kids are now talking about javelin throw because of Neeraj. And Animesh Kujur from tribal background - so inspiring! But we need better sports infrastructure in small towns. Not every athlete gets proper coaching. 🙏
Not bad at all! Tajinderpal Singh Toor in shot put is a solid choice - he's been consistent internationally. And
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