India’s rising athletic stars continue to shine on the global stage, with 17-year-old high jumper Pooja Singh making headlines at the U20 World Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru.

Demonstrating immense potential, Pooja set a new U20 national record in the women’s high jump by clearing an impressive 1.83 metres. This remarkable achievement not only secured her place in the final but also marked a significant milestone in her budding athletic career.

Pooja’s Stellar Performance in High Jump

The high jump event saw Pooja begin her campaign at a height of 1.65 metres, which she cleared effortlessly, showcasing her readiness for the competition. Building on this strong start, she continued to impress by easily clearing 1.69 metres on her first attempt. However, the competition became intense at 1.73 metres, where Pooja faced her first major challenge. After two unsuccessful attempts, she managed to clear the height on her third and final try, displaying commendable determination and mental fortitude.

Undeterred by this setback, Pooja went on to clear 1.77 metres and 1.80 metres with relative ease, demonstrating her technical skill and composure under pressure. The crowning moment of her performance came when she cleared 1.83 metres after three attempts, setting a new U20 national record for India. This achievement not only highlighted her exceptional talent but also underscored her potential as a future star in Indian athletics.

Jay Kumar’s Impressive Show in 400m Final

While Pooja’s record-breaking feat grabbed the spotlight, another Indian athlete, Jay Kumar, delivered a commendable performance in the men’s 400 metres final. Jay clocked a time of 46.99 seconds, securing a sixth-place finish in a highly competitive field. Although he did not finish on the podium, his consistent improvement throughout the heats and semi-finals was noteworthy. Jay’s sub-47-second run reflects his growing prowess in the event and his potential to achieve greater heights in future competitions.

Mixed Results for Indian Contingent

The U20 World Athletics Championships saw mixed results for the Indian contingent across various events. In the women’s 100 metres hurdles, Unnathi Aiyappa finished 28th overall with a time of 13.92 seconds, which was not sufficient to advance to the semi-finals. Unnathi also competed in the women’s 200 metres, clocking 24.10 seconds and finishing 22nd overall. Her compatriot, Neeru Pathak, completed the same race in 24.77 seconds, placing 38th.

In the men’s 110 metres hurdles, Nayan Pardip Sarde and Hariharan Kathiravan recorded times of 14.60 seconds and 15.34 seconds, respectively, finishing 60th and 66th overall. Meanwhile, in the men’s long jump qualification, Mohammed Atta Sajid narrowly missed the final round, placing 16th with a best leap of 7.39 metres.

The mixed results for the Indian contingent at the ongoing U20 World Athletics Championships continued to be a source of concern, as only Jay Kumar and Sharuk Khan managed to secure spots in the finals on the second day of the tournament in Lima, Peru. Jay Kumar reached his personal best in the men’s 400m semi-final, clocking 46.96 seconds, which earned him a place in the final. Earlier, he had recorded 47.08 seconds in the sixth heat of the men’s 400m, while his compatriot, Bapi Hansda, who recently recovered from dengue fever, clocked 51.26 seconds in the fourth heat.

In the men’s 3000m steeplechase, Sharuk Khan set a new U20 national record with a time of 8:45.12 in the first heat, securing his spot in the final by finishing sixth out of 30 runners across two heats. However, Ranvir Singh, a U20 Asian Championships medalist, disappointed with a time of 9:22.54, finishing 27th overall despite leading his race for the first 1500m.

The day’s biggest disappointment came from junior national record holder Neeru Pathak, who finished last in her heat of the women’s 400m with a time of 55.58 seconds, far from her peak performance. In the men’s pole vault, promising vaulter Dev Meena fell short of expectations, failing to clear the 5m barrier and ending with a mark of 4.95m, finishing 22nd overall. In the 400m hurdles, Murad Kalubhai Sirman narrowly missed qualifying for the semi-finals, clocking 52.85 seconds in the first heat, just shy of the 52.84 seconds needed to advance.

Meanwhile, Shreeya Rajesh finished 23rd overall in the women’s 400m hurdles with a time of 1:00.07. These results starkly contrast with India’s performance in the 2022 edition of the tournament, where the country secured three medals, including two silver in the triple jump and mixed 4x400m relay, and one bronze in the women’s 400m.

Looking Ahead: A Bright Future for Indian Athletics

As the U20 World Athletics Championships continue, the performances of athletes like Pooja and Jay Kumar are a testament to the growing talent within India’s youth athletics. Pooja’s new national record in the high jump and Jay’s steady progression in the 400 metres highlight the bright future ahead for these young athletes.

The determination and skill displayed by these rising stars are setting a strong foundation for Indian athletics on the global stage. With continued support and development, these athletes have the potential to achieve even greater success in the coming years, making India proud on the international athletic circuit.