Archive · 12 Sep 2026
India Cuts Annu Rani From Asian Games Athletics Squad
India changed its athletics team for the Asian Games.
Three athletes—Annu Rani, Shahnavaz Khan and Nithya Gandhe—were removed from the squad.
Annu did not reach the required distance in the javelin throw.
Shahnavaz had a disappointing result and was also carrying a minor injury.
Nithya finished ninth in the 100m race at the final trial.
Four other athletes with injuries were checked and cleared by doctors.
The team now has 74 athletes instead of 77.
India is also hoping Avinash Sable can compete in an additional race.
India reduced its Asian Games athletics squad from 77 to 74 athletes.
Annu Rani was excluded after failing to meet the Athletics Federation of India’s qualifying mark in the final trial.
Shahnavaz Khan and Nithya Gandhe were dropped because of performance and medical-related concerns.
Injured national record holders Sarvesh Kushare, Praveen Chithravel, Jyothi Yarraji and Yashas Palaksha were cleared to compete.
The Athletics Federation of India hopes Avinash Sable can also enter the 5,000m alongside the 3,000m steeplechase.
- Who
- Annu Rani, Shahnavaz Khan and Nithya Gandhe were dropped by the Athletics Federation of India; four injured athletes were cleared.
- What
- India’s Asian Games athletics squad was reduced from 77 to 74 athletes.
- When
- The decision was announced on Friday, September 12, 2026, after a final trial on Thursday.
- Where
- The final trial was held at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, and the Games will be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
- Why
- Annu Rani missed the qualifying mark, while Shahnavaz Khan and Nithya Gandhe were cited for poor performance and medical-related reasons.
- Final squad size
- 74 athletes, down from the previously announced 77
- Annu Rani’s final throw
- 57.50 metres, below the AFI qualifying mark of 57.62 metres
- Annu Rani’s previous Asian Games result
- Gold medal in Hangzhou in 2023 with a 62.92-metre throw
- Shahnavaz Khan’s final-trial result
- Sixth place in the long jump with 7.43 metres
- Nithya Gandhe’s final-trial result
- Ninth in the women’s 100 metres in 11.93 seconds
- Athletes cleared despite injuries
- Sarvesh Kushare, Praveen Chithravel, Jyothi Yarraji and Yashas Palaksha
- Reported travel plans
- The 74 athletes were scheduled to leave New Delhi for Japan on Saturday and attend a camp near Tokyo
- Schedule discrepancy
- The article says the athletes would reach Aichi-Nagoya on September 21, two days before athletics begins, but also states that athletics begins on September 13