Basant Kumar Meghwal Secures Silver in Men's High Jump at World U20 Championships

Basant Kumar Meghwal's Remarkable Achievement

India's Basant Kumar Meghwal has earned a silver medal in the men's high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships, achieving a personal best of 2.21 meters in Oregon.

The 19-year-old athlete showcased a steady performance, successfully clearing heights of 2.06m, 2.12m, 2.17m, and ultimately 2.21m to secure his podium finish.

Although three competitors cleared the height of 2.21m, Meghwal clinched the silver medal based on countback. Algeria's Younes Ayachi took home the gold, while Great Britain's Otis Poole secured the bronze. None of the three medalists managed to clear 2.24m in their attempts. Ayachi achieved 2.21m on his first try, Meghwal on his second, and Poole on his third.

BASANT JUMPS TO SILVER — INDIA SOARS AGAIN! MEDAL NUMBER TWO! Basant has cleared 2.21m to win SILVER in the Men's High Jump final at the World U20 Championships, Oregon 26! What a competition of nerve. Bar after bar, Basant answered every challenge — sailing over…

This silver medal marks India's second achievement at the championships, following Ashish Yadav's silver in the javelin throw. Meghwal's performance is a significant milestone, showcasing his talent among the world's top young high jumpers.

Ashish Yadav's Silver in Javelin Throw

Earlier in the event, Ashish Yadav also made headlines by winning a silver medal in the men's javelin throw, becoming only the second Indian, after Neeraj Chopra, to reach the podium in this event at the global junior championships.

As reported by Olympics.com, the 19-year-old achieved a best throw of 74.09m, finishing behind South Africa's Jan-Hendrik Heymans, who won gold with a leading world U20 throw of 80.50m. Dominica's Addison James secured the bronze with a throw of 73.89m.

Yadav's accomplishment comes ten years after Chopra made history by winning gold at the World U20 Championships in Bydgoszcz in 2016 with a record throw of 86.48m.

In the final, Ashish started with a throw of 69.96m, fouled on his second attempt, and then recorded his best throw of 74.09m on the third. He followed this with throws of 72.31m, 70.62m, and 67.98m to secure the silver medal.

Heymans took an early lead with a throw of 76.92m on his first attempt, improved to 79.42m on his fifth, and sealed his victory with an 80.50m throw in his final attempt.

India had two participants in the javelin final, with T. Dharanidharan finishing sixth with a best throw of 72.35m.