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India's talented long jumper Shahnavaz Khan will headline the country's 48-member squad for the upcoming Asian U20 Athletics Championships scheduled to be held in Hong Kong from May 28.
The national team was announced by Athletics Federation of India (AFI) on the basis of performances in domestic competitions, particularly the recently concluded 24th National Junior Athletics Federation Cup in Karnataka.
Shahnavaz earned widespread attention after producing a sensational leap of 8.23m at the event, setting a new national U20 record in long jump. The youngster is now expected to be among India's biggest medal hopes at the continental championships.
Apart from Shahnavaz, several promising Indian athletes have also been named in the squad, including
Mohammed Ashfaq, who will compete in the 400m and relay events, Nitin Gupta in the 5000m race walk, and Pooja in high jump.
Strong Men's Squad Announced
India's men's U20 contingent features athletes across sprint, middle-distance, endurance, hurdles, jumps, throws and relay disciplines.
The sprint and relay department includes Rudra Sachin Shinde, Mohammed Ashfaq, Piyush Raj and several relay specialists, while Venkatram Reddy Mogali will compete in the 800m event.
Sandeep Yadav and Vikas Kumar have been selected for the 3000m race, while Nikhil C will represent India in the 3000m steeplechase.
In field events, Shahnavaz Khan and Jithin Arjunan Raman will compete in long jump, while Royshan Poorna Chandrasekar has been picked for triple jump. Basant will represent India in high jump.
The throwing events will feature Nishchay (discus throw), Ashuvendra Pratap Singh and Aman (hammer throw), along with Ashish Yadav in javelin throw.
Women's Team Features Several Emerging Talents
The women's U20 team also includes several emerging stars from Indian athletics. Nipam and Bhumika Sanjay Nehate will compete in sprint and relay events, while Neeru Pathak and Tahura Khutan have been included for the 400m and relay squads.
Muskan has been selected for the 5000m event, while Mansi Avinash Yadav and Aisha Verma will compete in the 3000m steeplechase.
In field events, Pooja - the U20 National Record Holder and Asian Indoor Championships silver medallist - will lead India's challenge in high jump, Sadhana Ravi will participate in triple jump, Amanat Kamboj has been selected for discus throw, and Poonam will compete in javelin throw.
India has consistently produced strong performances at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships in recent years, and the latest squad reflects the country's growing depth in junior athletics ahead of future international events, including the 2030 and 2036 Olympic cycles.
India Squad for Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026: Men U20
Rudra Sachin Shinde, Mohammed Ashfaq, Piyush Raj, Venkatram Reddy Mogali, Sandeep Yadav, Vikas Kumar, Nikhil C, Kiran Kunchan, Jashanpreet Singh, Amit Kumar, Nitin Gupta, Tushar Panwar, Basant, Shahnavaz Khan, Jithin Arjunan Raman, Royshan Poorna Chandrasekar, Nishchay, Ashuvendra Pratap Singh, Aman, Ashish Yadav, Upkar, Rahul Jakhar, Anshu Rajak, Aditya Pisal, Nived Krishna J, Mehebubul Ahamed, Ranjith Kumar Senthil Kumar, Sayed Sabeer, Nakul Prabhu, Abhay Kumar Dubey.
Indian Women's U20 Squad
Nipam, Bhumika Sanjay Nehate, Aarti, Neeru Pathak, Tahura Khutan, Muskan, Mansi Avinash Yadav, Aisha Verma, Pooja, Sadhana Ravi, Amanat Kamboj, Poonam, Bhavana G, Rujula Amol Bhonsle, Kajal Hirabhai Vaja, Sehnoor Bawa, Kavita, Mehardeep Kaur.
