The World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze, a one-day event with a $25,000 prize pool, is set to electrify Kalinga Stadium in Bhubaneswar on Sunday, August 10, 2025. India’s top athletes, including javelin star Annu Rani and sprinter Animesh Kujur, are poised to captivate the home crowd while chasing crucial qualification marks and ranking points for the Tokyo World Athletics Championships (September 13-21, 2025).
Annu Rani, India’s leading female javelin thrower, is riding high after a 62.59m throw at a Continental Tour event in Poland on August 6. The 2023 Asian Games champion, currently ranked 30th globally, is confident of surpassing the 60m mark in Bhubaneswar’s favourable conditions. “My recent throw has boosted my preparation for Tokyo,” said the 32-year-old from Uttar Pradesh. With the automatic qualification mark for Tokyo set at 64m, Annu is among the top 36 women javelin throwers eligible via the world ranking quota, with the qualification deadline looming on August 24, 2025.
Sprinter Animesh Kujur, ranked 42nd in the men’s 200m, is equally determined to leverage the home advantage. Holding a national record of 20.32 seconds, he aims to close the gap to the 20.16-second automatic qualification mark for Tokyo, where the top 48 will compete. “My focus is solely on the 200m,” Kujur said, eyeing a strong performance to solidify his world ranking.
Other Indian talents, including javelin thrower Sachin Yadav, long jumper Murali Sreeshankar, and Shaili Singh, will also vie for valuable global ranking points. The event will feature athletes from over 15 countries, including Malaysia and Sri Lanka, with morning heats and evening main events promising a thrilling spectacle.
Odisha’s Commissioner-cum-Secretary of Sports, Sachin Jadhav, emphasised the state’s readiness: “We’re excited to host the inaugural World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze and look forward to more global events.” AFI President Bahadur Singh Sagoo added, “This platform is vital for athletes to showcase their talent and secure Tokyo qualification. Over 10 Indian athletes have already qualified, and we expect more to join them.”With high stakes and home support, Bhubaneswar is set to witness a dazzling display of athletic prowess, as India’s stars aim to shine on the global stage.
