3 weeks ago

India's U20 medal winners target Asian Games podiums

India's U20 medal winners target Asian Games podiums
India's young long jump star sets bold Asian Games goal · rediff.com

Two young Indian athletes did something amazing at a big international sports competition.

Shahnavaz Khan is an 18-year-old long jumper who became the first Indian to win a medal in this event at the World Athletics U20 Championships.

He won a bronze medal even though his leg muscle cramped during the competition.

Now he wants to jump further than his best jump of 8.30 metres and win a medal at the Asian Games in Japan.

Basant Kumar Meghwal is a 19-year-old high jumper who won a silver medal at the same competition.

He jumped 2.21 metres, which was his personal best.

He almost won gold, but another athlete cleared the same height in fewer tries.

Both boys come from small villages where their families had little money.

Their families worked hard and even borrowed money so they could train.

Now the two athletes are hoping to do even better at the Asian Games.

Key facts

Khan's medal
Bronze, long jump, 7.84m, World Athletics U20 Championships
Khan's personal best
8.30m, third-best all-time among Indian seniors
Meghwal's medal
Silver, high jump, personal best 2.21m
Meghwal's improvement
10cm this season (2.11m to 2.21m)
Asian Games
Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, September-October
Khan's home
Madhaipur village, Pratapgarh district, Uttar Pradesh
Meghwal's employer
Indian Navy, Kochi-based
Meghwal's coach
Sahana Kumari, former Indian women's high jump record holder

Quotes

Basant Kumar Meghwal

Indian high jumper and World U20 silver medallist

“I had in my mind that if I do 2.24m, I will win the gold medal. I tried my best, but I couldn't do it.”
rediff.com
“My aim to better my PB of 8.30m and win a medal.”
rediff.com

Sources

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