Neeraj Chopra will aim to become only the third men’s javelin thrower in history to defend the World Championships gold as he carries the country’s weight of expectations on his broad shoulders as the lone Indian medal prospect in the athletics showpiece beginning here on Saturday.

Chopra, who is leading a 19-member contingent, had won gold in the 2023 edition in Budapest with a throw of 88.17m. If he were to repeat this feat in the final he will join his coach Jan Zelezny and Anderson Peters as the only javelin throwers to defend their title. Sachin Yadav, Yashvir Singh and Rohit Yadav are also in the fray, as India is being represented by four athletes in men’s javelin. Apart from them, the likes of Annu Rani (javelin throw), Parul Chaudhary (women’s 3000m), M Sreeshankar (long jump), Gulveer Singh (5000m) and Praveen Chithravel (triple jump) will eye a good show.