Indian athletes Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan have made history at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 in Eugene, Oregon, winning silver in men's high jump and bronze in men's long jump, respectively, bringing India's medal tally to three.
The Athletics Federation of India (AFI) has announced a 48-member Indian team for the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong, featuring talented athletes like Shahnavaz Khan, Mohammed Ashfaq, and Pooja.
Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan became the first Indians to win a medal each in high jump and long jump at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships.
India's Asian Games athletics team has been reduced from 77 to 74 members, with javelin thrower Annu Rani, long jumper Shahnavaz Khan, and sprinter Nithya Gandhe dropped due to performance and medical reasons after a confirmatory trial.
India has announced a 36-member squad, comprising 23 men and 13 women, for the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, USA, from August 5 to 9. The team includes national record holder Pooja Singh and long jumper Shahnavaz Khan, and will compete across 18 track and field events.
India's Asian Games athletics team has been trimmed to 74 members, with prominent athletes like javelin thrower Annu Rani, long jumper Shahnavaz Khan, and sprinter Nithya Gandhe dropped due to performance or medical reasons. The decision followed a confirmatory event, while some injured national record holders were cleared to participate.
Ashish Yadav clinched a silver medal in the men's javelin throw, marking India's first medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships. Pooja Singh also advanced to the women's high jump final, while other Indian athletes competed in various events, including the men's 400m and long jump, showcasing promising talent.
Long jumper Shahnavaz Khan and high jumper Basant Kumar Meghwal, both recent World Athletics U20 Championships medalists, are now setting their sights on podium finishes at the upcoming Asian Games in Japan, aiming to improve their personal bests.
Double Olympic medallist Manu Bhaker and defending shot put champion Tajinderpal Singh Toor have been selected as India's flag-bearers for the Asian Games opening ceremony. This decision highlights the significant contributions of shooting and athletics to India's medal tally, with a 158-strong contingent participating in the event.
Indian athletes secured three gold medals at the Asian U20 Championships in Hong Kong, maintaining their second-place position. Nikhil Chandrashekar, Basant, and Shahnavaz Khan contributed to India's success in the 3000m steeplechase, high jump, and long jump events, respectively.
The National Inter-State Senior Athletics Championships concluded with star long jumper Murali Sreeshankar and javelin thrower Rohit Yadav delivering top-class performances.
Congress MP Imran Masood and Samajwadi Party MLA Shahnavaz Khan were prevented by police from visiting Bareilly following recent clashes. The leaders planned to meet with police officials but were confined to their residences.
Out of the 10 gold on offer on the opening day of athletics competitions, Maharashtra and Services picked up two each, while Odisha, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana and Tamil Nadu claimed one each.
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