World Athletics U20 Championships: India’s Best Junior Haul Since 2022 came to a close in Oregon, USA, with the nation securing three medals, matching their performance from the 2021 and 2022 editions. The campaign featured two silver medals and one bronze, although a highly anticipated gold from high jumper Pooja Singh did not materialize. The 19-year-old finished seventh in the women’s final after clearing only 1.84m, failing to replicate the 1.93m national senior record she set in May.
The World Athletics U20 Championships saw Australia’s Izobelle Louison-Roe take the high jump gold with 1.92m, while Hungary’s Lilianna Batori and Spain’s Aitana Alonso settled for silver and bronze, respectively. Despite Pooja’s setback, India’s medal tally was boosted by strong performances in field events. Ashish Yadav opened the account with silver in the men’s javelin throw, followed by Basant Kumar Meghwal’s silver in the men’s high jump. Shahnavaz Khan later added a bronze in the men’s long jump, ensuring a consistent showing at the World Athletics U20 Championships.
The women’s 4x400m relay team rounded off the event with a ninth-place finish, clocking 3:45.28, far behind the United States, who won gold in 3:29.15. While this edition lacked a gold medal, the three-medal haul highlights India’s growing depth at the junior level. Historically, between 2002 and 2018, the country won only four medals, including iconic golds from Neeraj Chopra and Hima Das. The recent consistency, with three medals in 2021 and 2022, and now again this year, signals a positive trend.
Overall, the World Athletics U20 Championships proved that India’s junior athletics program is building momentum. Although Pooja Singh fell short of expectations, the combined efforts of the men’s field athletes underscore a promising future. With a mix of experience and young talent, India appears well-positioned to convert these podium finishes into gold on the global stage in the coming years.