The Athletic Federation of India (AFI) declared August 7 as National Javelin Day because on this day at 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra won India’s first track and field gold medal.

The participation at the fourth edition of the National Javelin Day held ​in various age groups on August 7 this year was very encouraging. The number has spiralled to 4974 in 2025 from over 700 in the first edition in 2022. “A massive increase in the number over the past four years indicates growing popularity of javelin across the country,” says Sandeep Mehta secretary general Athletics Federation of India (AFI).

Golden chapter

August 7 was declared as National Javelin Day by AFI (Athletics Federation of India) because on this day at 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games India’s ace javelin thrower Neeraj Chopra wrote a golden chapter in the history of Indian track and field. He was victorious in men’s javelin at the quadrennial games.

World Athletics

For a record three Indian javelin throwers finished in top six at the 2023 Budapest World Athletics Championships held in Hungary. Neeraj Chopra went on to win the men’s javelin title, a first in the history of Indian athletics. He won silver at the 2022 Eugene World Athletics in Oregon, USA.

At the upcoming September 13 to 21 Tokyo World Athletics in Japan, four male Indian javelin throwers, including defending champion Neeraj Chopra, will showcase their potential. The two-time Olympic Games medallist will aim to add a third global medal to his kitty in Japan.

Annu Rani will compete in the women’s group.

Kids javelin

The AFI has made it mandatory for all state units to conduct javelin competition in all age groups on August 7. The AFI also introduced ​kids javelin in the U14 and U16 age group in 2022. Kids javelin has been a major attraction during NIDJAM (National Inter District Athletics Meet), AFI’s flagship grassroots programme.

Promising 16 years old javelin thrower Misti Karmakar, a product of NIDJAM, from Malda in West Bengal represented India at the 2025 Asian U18 Athletics Championships.

Grassroots

Data of the 2025 National Javelin Day suggests Assam state emerged as front runner in the East Zone with 955 competitors ​in different age groups taking part on National Javelin Day. Mizoram (105) and Jharkhand (96) were second and third, respectively.

In the North Zone, Chandigarh attracted 235 participants while Haryana was close second with 201 competitors. Punjab was third at 135.

Telangana (629) was the leading state in South Zone and Chhattisgarh (190) in West Zone at the fourth edition of National Javelin Day.

ENDS