Basant Kumar Meghwal of Rajasthan achieved a silver medal in the men’s high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon. This marks a significant moment as he became the first Indian athlete to win a world high jump medal. His performance included clearing a personal-best height of 2.21 meters.
The high jump event saw all three medallists clear 2.21 meters, with final placements determined by countback based on missed attempts. Algeria’s Younes Ayachi secured the gold by clearing the bar on his first attempt. Meghwal earned his silver by clearing the height on his second attempt, while Great Britain’s Otis Poole took bronze on his third attempt.
Meghwal’s journey into athletics began in his hamlet in Anupgarh tehsil of Sriganganagar district. His physical training instructor, Iqbal Singh Maan, noticed his talent when Meghwal jumped over a wire fence to avoid being caught skipping school. His father, Gangaram Meghwal, mentioned that they were unaware of the sport of high jump before this incident.
The path to international competition involved considerable financial effort from his family. Gangaram Meghwal, a daily-wage driver, stated that the family incurred a debt of approximately 3.5 lakh rupees to support Basant’s training, diet, and equipment. He noted that a single pair of high jump shoes costs Rs 15,000.
India’s medal tally and other performances
Alongside Meghwal’s silver, Shahnavaz Khan secured a bronze medal in the men’s long jump event with a best effort of 7.84 meters. Shahnavaz, who is 18 years old, achieved his best jump in his third attempt. His series of jumps included 7.67m, 7.72m, 7.84m, 7.52m, 7.83m, and 5.37m. Italy’s Daniele Inzoli won gold with a jump of 7.97m, and Australia’s Mason McGroder took silver with 7.96m.
Shahnavaz is considered a promising long jumper, holding the current national U20 record of 8.30m and being the reigning Asian U20 champion. He hails from Madhaipur village in Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh. His uncles, who were national-level athletes, guided him after his father passed away.
India’s medal count at the championships reached three with these performances. The medal campaign had started with Ashish Yadav winning silver in the men’s javelin throw. Between 2002 and 2028, India had previously won four medals at the World Athletics U20 Championships, including gold medals from Neeraj Chopra in men’s javelin throw and Hima Das in the women’s 400m race.
In other events, the Indian women’s 4x400m relay team qualified for the final round, finishing third in their heat with a time of 3:39.53s. The team consisted of Bhoomika Nehate, Tahura Khatun, Tanu Chaudhary, and Thiya Arumugam.
However, the Indian women’s 4x100m relay team and the men’s 4x400m relay quartet did not advance to the final round. The women’s 4x100m relay quartet, comprising Rujula Amol Bhonsle, G Bhavana, Aarti, and Ananya Suresh, finished sixth in their heat with a time of 45.91 seconds. The men’s 4x400m team, with Sayed Sabeer, Ranjith Kumar, Piyush Raj, and Mohammed Ashfaq, finished fifth in their heat, clocking 3:08.56s. In both these relay events, the top three teams from each heat progressed to the final.
In the men’s discus throw, national U20 record holder Nischay Phogat did not reach the final round, placing 16th overall in the qualification with a best throw of 59.46m. Additionally, in the men’s 5000m race walk final, Nitin Gupta finished sixth with a time of 19:32.30s.
Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
