Basant Creates History with India’s First U20 World Athletics High Jump Silver

Basant Kumar Meghwal Wins Silver in High Jump at World Athletics U20 Championships

Basant Kumar Meghwal clinched the silver medal in the men’s high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships, earning India’s second medal of the competition.

The Indian athlete cleared 2.21m to equal his personal best and secure a historic podium finish. Algeria’s Younes Ayachi won gold after clearing the same height on his first attempt, while Great Britain’s Otis Poole took bronze after needing three attempts.

The result marks India’s first-ever silver medal in the men’s high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships. It also added another medal to India’s campaign, following Ashish Yadav’s silver in the javelin throw earlier in the week.

BASANT MATCHES PERSONAL BEST

Basant opened the final with a successful clearance of 2.06m on his first attempt. He then cleared 2.12m on his second try before successfully negotiating 2.17m at the first time of asking.

With the bar raised to 2.21m, Basant initially failed to clear the height. However, he responded strongly on his second attempt, matching his lifetime best and moving into a medal position.

His complete series was:

2.06m – first attempt
2.12m – second attempt
2.17m – first attempt
2.21m – second attempt

At 2.21m, Ayachi had already cleared the height on his opening attempt. Poole eventually followed with a successful third attempt, leaving all three athletes tied on their best clearance.

AYACHI WINS GOLD ON COUNTBACK

With Ayachi, Basant and Poole all clearing 2.21m, the medals were decided by the number of attempts required at the height.

Ayachi’s first-attempt clearance earned him the gold medal. Basant’s successful second attempt placed him second, while Poole’s third-attempt clearance secured bronze.

The next-best mark was 2.17m, cleared by American Maddox Krotzer, Great Britain’s Samuel James and Greece’s Charalampos Alivizatos.

Basant’s performance represents a landmark achievement for India in men’s high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships. His 2.21m clearance also saw him equal his personal best while securing a historic silver medal on the global junior stage.