Meghwal creates history with high jump silver, Shahnavaz wins long jump bronze
Basant Kumar Meghwal made history by winning India's first-ever high jump medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships, securing silver in Eugene. Shahnavaz Khan also contributed to India's success by winning bronze in the long jump.
Why it matters
This performance highlights the growing competitiveness of Indian athletes on the global stage in track and field events.
Basant Kumar Meghwal became the first Indian to win a high jump medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships, while Shahnavaz Khan added a bronze in the long jump as India secured two medals on a memorable day in Eugene.
The 19-year-old Meghwal 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 on Saturday (August 8, 2026).
Algeria’s Younes Ayachi won the gold, while Great Britain’s Otis Poole took the bronze.
All three medallists could only clear 2.21m but failed all their three attempts to sail over 2.24m.
The positions were thus decided on countback based on the number of attempts to clear the previous height.
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