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Ashish Yadav opened India's account with a silver medal finish in the men's javelin throw final at the World Athletics U20 Championships on Saturday.
Yadav's efforts in Eugene, Oregon, highlighted India's bright future in athletics, especially javelin, a decade after Neeraj Chopra made strides at the U20 multi-sports tournament.
Chopra had clinched a gold medal in the 2016 edition at Bydgoszcz, becoming the first Indian to secure a podium finish in the men's javelin event. The still-standing world junior record of 86.48m laid the foundation for his rise as India’s golden boy.
Yadav became the second Indian to clinch a podium finish in the men's javelin event after Chopra, with his third-round throw of 74.09m helping him secure the silver medal. The 19-year-old Indian javelin star, however, fell short of his personal best 74.49m effort, which he achieved in March at the Indian Open Throws Competition in Patiala.
Dharanidharan, Yadav's Indian compatriot in the event, finished sixth with a 72.35m throw.
Also Read | Korea Masters 2026: Tanvi Sharma storms into quarterfinals, to face Rakshitha Sree in all-India clash
South Africa's Jan-Hendrik Heykmans clinched the gold medal with a successful 80.50m throw, the season's U20 World lead, in his sixth attempt. Dominica's Addison James clinched the bronze medal with a 73.89m throw.
India still have a chance to clinch another podium finish as national senior record holder Pooja Singh has qualified for the women's high jump final.
Pooja qualified for the final round in the women's high jump event, sailing over 1.79m on day three of the meet.
Also Read | Mohommed Ashfaq smashes U20 national record, advances to 400m semifinals at World Athletics U20s
Mohommed Ashfaq, who broke the U20 national record during the men's 400m first round heat race a day earlier with a time of 45.81 seconds, finished eighth, clocking 46.20 seconds in the final.
American Jayden Deleon won the gold with a championship record time of 44.47 seconds, while compatriot Quincy Wilson took the silver with 44.62 seconds.
With agency inputs
Yadav's efforts in Eugene, Oregon, highlighted India's bright future in athletics, especially javelin, a decade after Neeraj Chopra made strides at the U20 multi-sports tournament.
Chopra had clinched a gold medal in the 2016 edition at Bydgoszcz, becoming the first Indian to secure a podium finish in the men's javelin event. The still-standing world junior record of 86.48m laid the foundation for his rise as India’s golden boy.
Ashish Yadav clinches silver at World U20s javelin event
Yadav became the second Indian to clinch a podium finish in the men's javelin event after Chopra, with his third-round throw of 74.09m helping him secure the silver medal. The 19-year-old Indian javelin star, however, fell short of his personal best 74.49m effort, which he achieved in March at the Indian Open Throws Competition in Patiala.
Dharanidharan, Yadav's Indian compatriot in the event, finished sixth with a 72.35m throw.
Also Read | Korea Masters 2026: Tanvi Sharma storms into quarterfinals, to face Rakshitha Sree in all-India clash
South Africa's Jan-Hendrik Heykmans clinched the gold medal with a successful 80.50m throw, the season's U20 World lead, in his sixth attempt. Dominica's Addison James clinched the bronze medal with a 73.89m throw.
Pooja Singh qualifies for women's high jump final
India still have a chance to clinch another podium finish as national senior record holder Pooja Singh has qualified for the women's high jump final.
Pooja qualified for the final round in the women's high jump event, sailing over 1.79m on day three of the meet.
Also Read | Mohommed Ashfaq smashes U20 national record, advances to 400m semifinals at World Athletics U20s
Mohommed Ashfaq, who broke the U20 national record during the men's 400m first round heat race a day earlier with a time of 45.81 seconds, finished eighth, clocking 46.20 seconds in the final.
American Jayden Deleon won the gold with a championship record time of 44.47 seconds, while compatriot Quincy Wilson took the silver with 44.62 seconds.
With agency inputs
