Archive · 12 Aug 2026

India's U20 medal winners target Asian Games podiums

India's U20 medal winners target Asian Games podiums

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.

Sources