Eugene, USA – India enjoyed a historic day on the track at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, as two young jumpers secured podium finishes and etched their names into the record books. Basant Kumar Meghwal won silver in the men’s high jump, while Shahnavaz Khan clinched bronze in the men’s long jump, marking the first time India has won medals in both events at the global U20 championships .
Meghwal’s Historic Silver
The 19-year-old from Anupgarh, Rajasthan, cleared a personal best of 2.21m to become the first Indian high jumper to win a medal at the World U20 Championships . Meghwal, who represents the Indian Navy, produced a composed performance, clearing 2.06m, 2.12m, and 2.17m before the crucial jump at 2.21m .
The battle for the podium was intense, with all three medallists clearing 2.21m but failing to go beyond 2.24m . The medals were decided by countback based on the number of attempts at the previous height. Algeria’s Younes Ayachi took gold by clearing 2.21m on his first attempt, while Meghwal secured silver on his second attempt, edging Great Britain’s Otis Poole, who needed three attempts .
Coached by former Indian national record holder Sahana Kumari, Meghwal has had a remarkable season, improving his personal best from 2.11m to 2.21m . His silver medal also followed Ashish Yadav’s silver in the men’s javelin throw, taking India’s medal tally to two at that stage .
Must Read: Coca-Cola’s Rs 11-40 Problem: Why the Beverage Giant Is Losing Market Share in India
Khan’s Historic Bronze
Soon after, Shahnavaz Khan added to India’s growing medal haul with a bronze in the men’s long jump . The 18-year-old became the first Indian men’s long jumper to win a medal at a World-level championship . He produced a best jump of 7.84m in his third attempt, which proved decisive .
Khan began with jumps of 7.67m and 7.72m before his 7.84m effort . His series included a 7.83m jump in the fifth round, helping him hold on to the bronze medal position . Gold went to Italy’s Daniele Inzoli with 7.97m, while Australia’s Mason McGroder took silver with 7.96m . India’s other finalist, R.C. Jithin Arjunan, finished eighth with a best of 7.59m .
Remarkable Rise
Khan’s bronze completes a remarkable four-month rise. He has improved his personal best to 8.30m, won gold at the Asian U20 Championships, and broken the U20 national record . Hailing from Madhaipur village in Uttar Pradesh’s Pratapgarh district, Khan comes from a sporting family—his uncle Shahrukh is a former National Games champion in the 3000m steeplechase, while another uncle, Mohammad Hadees, is a former national-level javelin thrower .
With three medals now in the bag—Ashish Yadav’s silver in javelin, Meghwal’s silver in high jump, and Khan’s bronze in long jump—India has matched its best-ever medal tally at the U20 World Championships .
