World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasília 26 will be big opportunity for Indian race walkers to showcase their potential at world level
After an impressive performance in the domestic meet earlier this year in February, a strong 12-member national race walk squad has been selected to compete this weekend at the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships Brasília 26. The Indian team boarded the flight to Brazil on Thursday night to compete in their first international event of the season on Sunday (April 12).
At the 2026 World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships the marathon (42.195km) will replace the 35km and 50km events. World Athletics—the global governing body of track and field has also changed the 20km event to a 21km event starting this season.
The AFI (Athletics Federation of India) introduced new events—42.195km and 21km—at the 13th Indian Open Race Walking Competition held in Chandigarh on February 21 and 22.
National marathon race walk champion Ram Baboo along with experienced race walker Sandeep Kumar will compete in the marathon event in Brazil.
In the men’s 21km (half marathon race walk), AFI is fielding four athletes. The athletes are Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Hardeep and Akshdeep Singh.
In the women’s marathon, national champion Manju Rani and Payal will showcase their potential at the global stage over the newly introduced event on Sunday.
Several top race walkers, including Olympic and world champions are expected to step onto the starting line this weekend (April 12) to compete in the marathon and half marathon events being held for the first time at the global level.
The Indian squad will aim for a good position in the team standings in the men’s and women’s 21km events.
Olympian Priyanka along with Mansi Negi, Ravina and Munita Prajapati will compete in the women’s 21km (half marathon).
Team: Men: Half marathon race walk (21km): Sahil, Servin Sebasthiyan, Hardeep, Akshdeep Singh. Marathon race walk (42.195km): Ram Baboo, Sandeep Kumar.
Women: Half marathon race walk (21km): Mansi Negi, Ravina, Munita Prajapati, Priyanka. Marathon race walk: Payal, Manju Rani.
EOM
