Basant Makes History, Wins India’s First U20 World High Jump Silver

Basant Kumar Meghwal produced a memorable performance at the World Athletics U20 Championships, winning the silver medal in the men’s high jump and giving India its second podium finish of the competition.

The Indian cleared 2.21m to equal his personal best and finish second behind Algeria’s Younes Ayachi. Great Britain’s Otis Poole also reached 2.21m, but Basant’s fewer attempts at the height earned him the silver medal on countback.

Ayachi cleared 2.21m at his first attempt, while Basant needed two attempts to negotiate the height. Poole succeeded on his third attempt, placing him third.

Basant’s medal is a landmark achievement, marking India’s first silver in the men’s high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships. It also strengthens India’s medal tally at the championships after Ashish Yadav secured silver in the javelin throw earlier in the week.

Basant started the final confidently, clearing 2.06m with his opening attempt. He then needed two attempts to get over 2.12m before clearing 2.17m at the first time of asking.

The competition intensified when the bar was raised to 2.21m. Basant missed his opening attempt but quickly recovered, clearing the height on his second try to equal his lifetime best.

2.06m – first attempt

2.12m – second attempt

2.17m – first attempt

2.21m – second attempt

His clearance at 2.21m put him in contention for the medals, with Ayachi and Poole also eventually reaching the same height.

All three medalists finished with a best clearance of 2.21m, making the number of attempts the deciding factor.

Ayachi claimed gold after clearing 2.21m on his first attempt. Basant followed with a successful second attempt to take silver, while Poole’s third-attempt clearance earned him bronze.

The best clearance behind the medal-winning trio was 2.17m, achieved by American Maddox Krotzer, Great Britain’s Samuel James and Greece’s Charalampos Alivizatos.

Basant’s 2.21m clearance not only matched his personal best but also delivered a historic silver medal for India in the men’s high jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships.