Basant Kumar Meghwal claims India's first high jump medal with silver at World U20 Championships

Eugene: Basant Kumar Meghwal became the first Indian to claim a high jump medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships, while Shahnavaz Khan secured bronze in the long jump during a successful day for India.

The 19-year-old Meghwal, hailing from Anupgarh in Rajasthan's Sri Ganganagar district, cleared a personal-best height of 2.21 metres to take silver in the men's high jump.

Representing the Indian Navy, he delivered the historic effort on the fourth and penultimate day of the competition on Saturday.

Algeria's Younes Ayachi captured the gold medal, while Great Britain's Otis Poole collected the bronze.

All three podium finishers cleared 2.21 metres but failed in their three attempts at 2.24 metres.

ALSO READ: Mohammed Ashfaq Shatters U20 National Record at World U20 Championship

Final positions were determined on countback based on the number of attempts required to clear the previous height.

Ayachi cleared 2.21 metres on his initial attempt, whereas Meghwal and Poole succeeded on their second and third attempts respectively.

Meghwal's silver marked India's inaugural medal in the high jump at the World U20 Championships.

Coached by former Indian women's high jump national record holder Sahana Kumari, Meghwal has achieved a 10-centimetre improvement this season, elevating his personal best from 2.11 metres to 2.21 metres.

India's total medal count increased to three at the event after Shahnavaz earned bronze in the men's long jump with a top leap of 7.84 metres.

The 18-year-old recorded his best mark on his third attempt, with his overall series measuring 7.67m, 7.72m, 7.84m, 7.52m, 7.83m, and 5.37m.

R.C. Jithin Arjunan also featured in the final for India, placing eighth with a best jump of 7.59 metres recorded on both his first and fourth efforts.

Italy's Daniele Inzoli claimed gold with a 7.97-metre leap, while Australia's Mason McGroder took silver after setting a personal best of 7.96 metres.

ALSO READ: Ashish Yadav claims silver in men's javelin at World U20 Championship

India's medal run at the championships commenced on Friday when Ashish Yadav earned silver in the men's javelin throw.

Yadav became only the second Indian after Neeraj Chopra to win a javelin silver medal at the World U20 Championships. Chopra congratulated Yadav following his performance, describing it as "just the start" and expressing pride in the young athlete.

PTI