India’s athletics campaign at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, has produced not one but three breakthroughs. After Neeraj Chopra found a potential javelin heir in Ashish Yadav, who won silver in the men’s event — just as the Indian great did at the same championships 10 years ago — Basant Kumar Meghwal followed with a silver in the men’s high jump before Shahnawaz Khan added a historic bronze in the men’s long jump to take India’s medal tally to three.
Meghawal, who hails from Anupgarh in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district, produced the biggest moment of his young career by clearing 2.21m to win silver in the men’s high jump – the first-ever Indian to win a medal in this event at the World Athletics U20 Championships.
The 19-year-old was locked in a tight battle for the podium, with all three medallists clearing the 2.21-metre mark, but none, however, could go beyond 2.24m despite three attempts, meaning the medals were eventually decided on countback. Algeria’s Younes Ayachi took gold as he had cleared 2.21m in his first attempt. The Indian secured silver, having cleared the same height on his second attempt, while Great Britain’s Otis Poole settled for bronze after taking three attempts to clear 2.21m.
For Meghwal, the medal capped a remarkable season. His 2.21m effort was also a new lifetime personal best, adding another major milestone after he won gold at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships earlier this year.
Shahnawaz makes long jump history
Much like Meghwal, Shahnawaz is the first Indian in his event to win a medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships, as Shahnawaz clinched bronze in the men’s long jump with a best effort of 7.84m.
The 18-year-old produced his best jump in his third attempt, with his series reading 7.67m, 7.72m, 7.84m, 7.52m, 7.83m and 5.37m.
R.C. Jithin Arjunan was the other Indian in the final, finishing eighth with a best jump of 7.59m that he achieved in his first and fourth attempts.
Italy’s Daniele Inzoli won the gold medal with a jump of 7.97m, while Australia’s Mason McGroder took silver with a personal best of 7.96m.
India’s medal campaign at the championships had begun on Friday when Ashish Yadav won silver in the men’s javelin throw.
Yadav became only the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to win a silver medal in the javelin at the World U20 Championships. Chopra congratulated Yadav after his achievement, calling it “just the start” and expressing his pride in the young thrower.
