PM Narendra Modi Hails India's Outstanding Asian U20 Athletics Campaign, Hopes It'll Inspire More People to 'Pursue Sports'

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken note of Indian contingent’s “outstanding” campaign at the recently concluded 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships in Hong Kong. On Sunday, the final day of the continental competition, India clinched three more gold medals and thus ensured second-place finish in the overall medal standings.

“Congratulations to the Indian contingent at the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics Championships for winning 19 medals, including 10 Golds. This outstanding performance reflects the determination and excellence of India’s young athletes,” PM Modi wrote on X.

“May these achievements inspire many more young Indians to pursue sports in the years to come,” he added.

Congratulations to the Indian contingent at the 22nd Asian U20 Athletics

Championships for winning 19 medals, including 10 Golds. This outstanding performance reflects the determination and excellence of India’s young athletes. May these achievements inspire many more young…

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 1, 2026

In the four-day competition, India won a total of 19 medals, a tally that included 10 gold, five silver and four bronze.

China topped the table with 25 medals, including 14 gold, nine silver and two bronze, while Japan finished third with 18 medals (five gold, five silver and eight bronze).

India’s final-day haul included three gold, two silver and one bronze medal.

The highlight came in the women’s 4x400m relay, where the Indian quartet of Bhumika Sanjay Nehate, Tahura Khatun, Sehnoor Bawa and anchor runner Neeru Pathak clinched gold in 3:38.07. Their performance also established a new meet record, surpassing the previous mark of 3:38.20 set by Japan in 2018.

In the men’s 4x400m relay, all three medal-winning teams bettered the long-standing meet record of 3:07.38, set by Japan in 1999. China claimed gold in 3:04.88, while Qatar took silver in 3:05.06. India settled for bronze despite clocking 3:05.54, which was also faster than the previous championship record. The Indian team comprised Piyush Raj, Sayed Sabeer Sayed Sabeer, Ranjith Kumar S and Mohammed Ashfaq.

Earlier in the day, Muskan opened India’s account by winning the women’s 5,000m gold medal with a timing of 16:53.08.

Venkatram Reddy Mogali added another gold in the men’s 800m, clocking a personal-best 1:48.27.

India came close to another top podium finish in the discus throw, where Nishchay produced a personal-best effort of 60.10m but had to settle for silver.

The women’s 4x100m relay team also earned a silver medal, finishing in 45.05 seconds. The team featured Kajal Hirabhai Vaja, Bhavana G, Aarti and Nipam.

With PTI Inputs