Meghwal scripts history in high jump event; Shahnavaz clinches long jump bronze

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In the World Athletics U20 Championships, Basant Kumar Meghwal became the first Indian to win a medal in the high jump event. On the other hand, Shahnavaz Khan also clinched a bronze medal in the long jump event.

Meghwal, a 19-year-old athlete from Anupgarh, a border town in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district, cleared a personal-best of 2.21m to win silver in the men’s high jump. Representing the Indian Navy, he produced the landmark performance on the fourth and penultimate day of the championships.

Algeria’s Younes Ayachi managed to win a gold medal, whereas Great Britain’s Otis Poole bagged a bronze medal.

All three athletes managed to clear 2.21m, but did not succeed in sailing over 2.24m in any of their three attempts.

The Algerian cleared 2.21m in his first attempt. Meghwal and Poole cleared the distance in their second and third attempts, respectively.

Meghwal has been trained by former Indian women’s high jump national record holder Sahana Kumari. Earlier, his personal best was 2.11m, and Meghwal has improved by 10cm, showcasing a new best of 2.21m.

World Athletics U20 Championships: Shahnavaz Khan clinches bronze medal in men’s long jump

On the other hand, Shahnavaz Khan secured a bronze medal in the men’s long jump by displaying a best effort of 7.84m. With this, India‘s medal tally increased to three in the championships.

He took his third attempt to showcase his best jump, 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.

He 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.

(With PTI Inputs)

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