Indian high jumper Basant Kumar Meghwal created history by winning the silver medal in the men’s high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon, on Saturday. The 19-year-old from Anupgarh in Rajasthan’s Sri Ganganagar district produced a lifetime-best effort of 2.21m to secure India’s second medal of the championships and become the country’s first high jumper to win a medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships.
Meghwal clears 2.21m for historic medal
Meghwal was involved in a closely fought battle for the podium, with all three medalists managing to clear 2.21m but failing to go beyond 2.24m. With none of the athletes able to clear 2.24m in three attempts, the medals were decided through a countback based on their attempts at the previous height.Algeria’s Younes Ayachi took the gold after clearing 2.21m on his first attempt. Meghwal secured silver by clearing the same height on his second attempt, while Great Britain’s Otis Poole had to settle for bronze after taking three attempts to clear 2.21m.
Personal best caps impressive season
The silver medal caps an impressive season for Meghwal, who continues to make rapid progress on the international stage. His 2.21m clearance was a new lifetime personal best, adding another major achievement to his season after he won gold at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships earlier this year.
Shahnavaz wins bronze as India’s medal tally rises
India added another medal to their tally at the World Athletics U20 Championships as Shahnavaz clinched bronze in the men’s long jump, taking the country’s total haul at the championships to three. The 18-year-old produced his best effort of 7.84m in his third attempt to finish third in a closely contested final.Shahnavaz began the competition with a 7.67m effort before improving to 7.72m in his second attempt. He then delivered his best jump of the competition in his third attempt, clearing 7.84m to move into medal position. His remaining attempts were recorded at 7.52m, 7.83m and 5.37m, but his third-round effort was enough to secure the bronze medal.Italy’s Daniele Inzoli won gold with a 7.97m jump, while Australia’s Mason McGroder took silver with a personal-best 7.96m effort.
Arjunan finishes eighth
India’s other finalist, R.C. Jithin Arjunan, finished eighth with a best effort of 7.59m. Arjunan recorded the mark in both his first and fourth attempts but could not improve on it during the remainder of the competition.India’s medal tally reaches threeShahnavaz’s bronze added to an impressive medal haul for India in Eugene. Ashish Yadav opened India’s account with a silver medal in the men’s javelin throw on Friday. Basant Kumar Meghwal then created history by winning silver in the men’s high jump with a personal-best 2.21m.
