India’s Mohammed Ashfaq shatters the Indian U20 national record in the men’s 400m and qualifying for the final of the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026.

The young Indian quarter-miler produced a sensational performance in the heats, finishing second in his race with a lifetime best of 45.81s, breaking his own previous Indian U20 record of 46.05s set earlier this season. The heat was won by USA’s Jayden DeLeon in 45.63s, with Ashfaq finishing just behind him in a world-class race.

His 45.81s not only secured a semifinal berth but also ranked him fourth overall among all semifinal qualifiers, putting him firmly among the leading contenders heading into the next round.

Back-to-Back Sub-PB Performances
Ashfaq returned for the semifinals and once again produced a time faster than the personal best he had brought into the championships. Running alongside Olympic champion Quincy Wilson of the United States, the Indian athlete clocked 46.00s, finishing third in his semifinal and ninth overall to secure a place in the world final.
Wilson dominated the race and recorded the fastest time across all semifinals with 45.02s, but Ashfaq showed tremendous composure under pressure to book his place in the championship decider.

Championship Progression
• PB before championships: 46.05s
• Heats: 45.81s (New Indian U20 National Record)
• Semifinal: 46.00s
Both races in Eugene were faster than the personal best Ashfaq carried into the championships, underlining the extraordinary form he has found on the global stage.

Men’s 400m Final Line-up – World Athletics U20 Championships 2026

Lane-wise line-up (Season Bests)
1. Zion Davis (BAH) – 45.64s
2. Mohammed Ashfaq (IND) – 45.81s
3. Godfred Opoku (GHA) – 45.38s
4. Malachi Austin (GUY) – 44.87s
5. Quincy Wilson (USA) – 44.84s
6. Leendert Koekemoer (RSA) – 44.94s
7. Jayden DeLeon (USA) – 44.52s
8. Kryn Romijn (NED) – 45.79s
9. Milann Klemenic (SLO) – 45.83s

Ashfaq will now line up against some of the world’s fastest junior quarter-milers, including Quincy Wilson, Jayden DeLeon, Leendert Koekemoer, and Malachi Austin, in what promises to be one of the strongest U20 400m finals in recent years.