A Strong Contingent and High Expectations
The Indian team, comprised of 43 athletes (23 men and 20 women), traveled to Lima, Peru, with high hopes. The squad included all seven gold medalists from the Asian U20 Athletics Championships held earlier that year.
Key Highlights and Medal Tally
- Mixed 4x400m Relay: The Indian mixed relay team clinched a bronze medal with a time of 3:22.54, securing a podium finish.
- Individual Performances: Several Indian athletes made impressive showings in their respective events, demonstrating the depth of talent in the country.
Please note: While the specific results and medal winners may vary depending on the latest updates, the overall performance of the Indian team at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 was commendable.
Notable Performances
- Sharuk Khan (Men’s 3000m Steeplechase): Khan set a national U20 record to reach the final in his event.
- Pooja Singh (Women’s High Jump): Singh also set a national U20 record to qualify for the final.
- Bapi Hansda: India’s first silver medalist in boys 400m hurdles at the Asian Youth Athletics Championships, Hansda competed in his first competitive event since June. He participated in the men’s 4x400m relay and the men’s 400m.
- Ekta Dey (Women’s 3000m Steeplechase): Dey, a reigning Asian U20 champion, led India’s medal hunt in women’s events.
- Pavana Nagaraj (Women’s Long Jump): Another reigning Asian U20 champion, Nagaraj was a strong contender in her event.
Women’s Team Highlights
- 4x400m Relay Team: The women’s 4x400m relay team was a force to be reckoned with, aiming for a medal.
- Laxita Sandilea: Sandilea, a two-time silver medalist at the Asian U20 Championships, competed in both women’s 800m and 1500m events.
- Amanat Kamboj (Discus Throw): Kamboj, a medallist from the Asian U20 Championships, was expected to perform well.
- Aarti (Race Walk): Aarti, another Asian U20 Championships medalist, competed in the 10000m race walk.
- Unnathi Aiyappa and Shreeya Rajesh (Hurdles): Both athletes, who had won medals at the Asian U20 Championships, were strong contenders in their respective hurdle events.
India’s Legacy at the World Athletics U20 Championships
India has a history of notable performances at the World Athletics U20 Championships. In the 2022 edition, India won two silver medals (Selva Thirumaran in triple jump and mixed 4x400m relay) and one bronze medal (Rupal Chaudhary in 400m).
The World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 provided a platform for India’s young athletes to showcase their talent and compete against the best in the world. The team’s performance was a testament to the strength of Indian athletics and the bright future of the sport in the country.
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