Olympic medalist and <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/indian-javelin-throw-superstar-neeraj-chopra-opens-up-about-battling-fitness-issues-23643286" rel="nofollow">former World Champion Neeraj Chopra</a> congratulated Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan after both athletes earned podium finishes at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Basant secured silver in the men's high jump while Shahnavaz earned bronze in the men's long jump on Sunday, bringing India's overall medal count at the tournament to three.
Posting on X, Chopra congratulated both podium finishers, writing: "A first of many for Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnawaz Khan, who won Silver and Bronze at the U-20 Worlds in the Men's High Jump and Long Jump, respectively. Kudos to them and the team behind the scenes working with such incredible talent!"
<h2>India wins historic medals in High Jump and Long Jump at World U20 C'ships</h2>
<a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/world-athletics-u20-championships-basant-kumar-meghwal-scripts-history-in-high-jump-event-shahnavaz-khan-clinches-long-jump-bronze-medal-23643909" rel="nofollow">Basant Kumar Meghwal</a> created history by becoming the first Indian athlete to claim a World U20 high jump medal, jumping a personal-best-equalling 2.21m to secure silver. The 19-year-old previously registered 2.21m at the Junior Federation Cup in Bengaluru before winning gold at the Asian U20 Championships in Hong Kong with a 2.20m jump. In Eugene, he progressed steadily through 2.06m, 2.12m, and 2.17m before clearing 2.21m on his second attempt, ultimately claiming second place on countback.
Shahnavaz also made history as the first Indian male athlete to win a long jump medal at the World U20 level, registering a bronze-medal leap of 7.84m on his third attempt. His progression included efforts of 7.67m, 7.72m, 7.84m, 7.52m, 7.83m, and 5.37m, following up on his season's best of 8.30m set in June.
The double podium success raised India's total medal count in Eugene to three, adding to <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/sports/other-sports/article/ashish-yadav-opens-india-account-with-javelin-silver-at-world-athletics-u-20-championships-23643876" rel="nofollow">Ashish Yadav</a>'s silver in the men's javelin throw.
The three-medal haul equals India's best-ever tally at the World Athletics U20 Championships, matching the medal count from the 2021 and 2022 editions, which also yielded two silver medals and one bronze.
India have won two gold medals in the history of the championships. Neeraj Chopra claimed javelin throw gold in 2016, while Hima Das won the women's 400m title in 2018. In both editions, the gold medal was India's only podium finish.
(With inputs from ANI)

Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra applauded Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan for winning high jump silver and long jump bronze at the World U20 C`ships


World U20 Championship: Neeraj Chopra praises Basant Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan after historic win

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Olympic champion Neeraj Chopra applauded Basant Kumar Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan for winning high jump silver and long jump bronze at the World U20 C'ships


Neeraj Chopra praises Basant Meghwal and Shahnavaz Khan after historic World U20 medals

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