India enjoyed a historic double podium finish at the U20 World Athletics Championships as Basant won silver in the men’s high jump and Shahnavaz Khan secured bronze in the long jump in Eugene, Oregon, on Sunday.
Basant cleared 2.21m to equal his personal best and become the first Indian to win a high jump medal at a world-level event. Shahnavaz, meanwhile, produced a best effort of 7.84m to become the first Indian men’s long jumper to win a world-level medal.
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The 19-year-old Basant from Ganganagar, Rajasthan, entered the competition with a personal best of 2.21m and matched the mark when it mattered most.
He cleared 2.06m, 2.12m and 2.17m before successfully negotiating 2.21m. Three athletes finished with the same height, but Basant’s clean record at the mark helped him secure the silver medal on countback.
Algeria’s Younes Ayachi took gold, while Britain’s Otis Poole won bronze.
Shahnavaz also produced his best when the pressure was on. After trailing early in the men’s long jump final, he unleashed a 7.84m effort in the third round and followed it with 7.83m in the fifth round to hold on to the bronze.
Italy’s Inzoli won gold with 7.97m, while Australia’s McGroder claimed silver with 7.96m.
The two medals took India’s tally at the championships to three, following Ashish Yadav’s silver in the men’s javelin throw on Friday.
India have now equalled their best medal haul at the U20 World Athletics Championships, achieved in 2021, and have an opportunity to surpass that mark with one day of competition remaining.
Earlier on Sunday, India’s women’s 4x400m relay team qualified for the final after finishing among the top three in their heat.
Bhoomika Nehate, Tahura Khatun, Tanu Chaudhary and Thiya Arumugam clocked 3:39.53 to finish third in their heat behind the United States (3:32.66) and Australia (3:33.68).
Bhoomika ran the opening leg in 55.81 seconds, followed by Tahura’s 54.54. Tanu produced India’s fastest split of 53.87 before Thiya brought the team home in 55.31.
India’s medal campaign began on Friday when Ashish Yadav won silver in the men’s javelin throw. The 19-year-old from Uttar Pradesh became the first Indian thrower to win a U20 World medal since Neeraj Chopra’s gold in 2016.