In the World Athletics U20 Championships, India enjoyed a historic day in Eugene, USA, with Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan becoming the first Indians to win medals in the high jump and long jump at the championships. Basant Kumar Meghwal, the reigning Asian U20 champion, won silver in the men’s high jump with a personal best clearance of 2.21 metres. Shahnavaz Khan claimed bronze in the men’s long jump with a best effort of 7.84 metres.
Algeria’s Younes Ayachi won the high jump gold, while Great Britain’s Otis Poole took bronze. The two medals took India’s tally at the championships to three. India have now equalled their medal haul from the 2021 and 2022 editions.
India produced a memorable performance at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, USA, securing two medals in a historic day for the country’s young athletes. Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan created history by becoming the first Indian athletes to win medals in the high jump and long jump at the championships.
Reigning Asian U20 champion Basant Kumar Meghwal clinched the silver medal in the men’s high jump, clearing a personal-best height of 2.21 metres. His impressive performance underlined his growing stature on the international junior athletics stage.
Algeria’s Younes Ayachi claimed the gold medal in the high jump, while Great Britain’s Otis Poole secured bronze.
In the men’s long jump, Shahnavaz Khan added another medal for India by winning bronze with a best effort of 7.84 metres. His performance marked another significant achievement for Indian athletics and further highlighted the country’s emerging talent at the junior level.
The two medals took India’s overall medal tally at the championships to three. With this achievement, India have equalled their medal haul from the 2021 and 2022 editions of the World Athletics U20 Championships.
The historic performances by Meghwal and Khan are being seen as a major boost for Indian athletics, particularly ahead of future senior-level international competitions. Their success in Eugene has also highlighted the growing depth of India’s young talent across field events.
The achievements of the two athletes are expected to inspire a new generation of Indian youngsters to take up athletics and aim for greater success on the global stage.
