Eugene, August 9, 2026: Indian athletics delivered another strong performance at the World Athletics U20 Championships as Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan won silver and bronze medals in the high jump and long jump respectively.
The two podium finishes on Saturday took India’s medal tally at the championships to three.
Meghwal Enters Indian Athletics History
Basant Kumar Meghwal produced the standout performance of the day in the men’s high jump.
The 19-year-old Indian Navy athlete cleared 2.21 metres, setting a new personal best and securing the silver medal. His achievement is historic as he became the first Indian athlete to win a high jump medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships.
Meghwal had entered the competition with a personal best of 2.11m. His latest clearance represents a remarkable 10cm improvement within the same season.
Algeria’s Younes Ayachi took gold, while Great Britain’s Otis Poole finished third. All three athletes cleared 2.21m but failed to clear 2.24m.
The medal positions were eventually decided by countback. Ayachi cleared 2.21m on his first attempt, while Meghwal achieved it on his second and Poole on his third.
Shahnavaz Khan Secures Long Jump Bronze
India’s second medal of the day came from Shahnavaz Khan in the men’s long jump.
The 18-year-old recorded his best distance of 7.84m on his third attempt. His complete series included jumps of 7.67m, 7.72m, 7.84m, 7.52m, 7.83m and 5.37m.
Italy’s Daniele Inzoli won the event with 7.97m, narrowly finishing ahead of Australia’s Mason McGroder, who produced a personal best of 7.96m.
Indian athlete R.C. Jithin Arjunan also featured in the final and finished eighth with a best effort of 7.59m.
Ashish Yadav Had Earlier Opened India’s Account
India had already secured a medal at the championships through javelin thrower Ashish Yadav.
Yadav won silver in the men’s javelin on August 7, becoming only the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to claim a silver medal in the event at the World Athletics U20 Championships.
Chopra praised Yadav after his performance and said the achievement was only the beginning for the young athlete.
A Memorable Championship for India
With three medals already secured, India’s campaign in Eugene has produced several notable moments.
Meghwal’s historic high jump medal, Shahnavaz’s strong long jump performance and Yadav’s javelin silver have highlighted the growing depth of Indian athletics at the junior level.
The performances will also provide encouragement ahead of the final stages of the championships as India looks to add to its medal haul.
