Metric miler Jinson Johnson and 4x400m mixed relay team will lead Indian challenge in IAAF World Athletics Championships, most competitive of sporting events with 2043 athletes representing 210 countries at Khalifa Stadium in Doha. 27-member Indian squad will be looking to turn in performances that will reflect ir hunger and commitment in 10-day event. expectations from Jinson Johnson are built on foundation of his good run recently in Berlin where he clocked a national record time of 3:35.24. He has trained at high altitude in Colorado Springs since n and can be expected to race well in World Championships. 4x400m mixed relay team will seek to justify immense faith show in squad.

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India will feel pang of Hima Das' absence

re is doubt that India will feel absence of two of its leading athletes, javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra and 400m sprinter Hima Das. Both have experience of winning gold at World Junior Championships, but injuries have kept m out of World Championships here. Yet, morale of squad is high as each athlete will attempt to give his or her best.19-year-old Hima Das was t fully fit for World Relay Championships held in Yokohama last May as she was suffering from Lumbar Spondylitis and which could be career-threatening to her. Das suffered a muscle spasm in Asian Athletic Championships in Doha after which she was t able to complete her race in April this year.

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Indian challenge at World Athletics Championship

Long jumper M Sreeshankar will be first Indian on view in World Championships, taking part in qualification round on Friday. He had qualified for meet with an 8.20m effort in National Open Championships in Bhubaneswar last year but has spent time in rehabilitation after picking up a heel injury. He cleared 8.00m in Indian Grand Prix in Patiala last month.
MP Jabir and Ayyasamy Dharun, entered in men’s 400m Hurdles, are be or Indians slated to be view on opening day of competition. Of course, Dharun has t taken part in a hurdles race since Federation Cup in Patiala in March, having only recently returned to track after an injury. race experience is expected to stand him in good stead.

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