India’s Pooja Singh has officially qualified for the women’s high jump final at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 after producing a flawless qualification round.

The 19-year-old cleared both heights she attempted on her first try, going over 1.76m and then 1.79m without a single failure.

The automatic qualifying mark for the final was set at 1.84m, with the best 12 athletes also advancing if fewer than 12 cleared the standard. However, only 14 athletes across the two qualification groups managed to clear 1.79m, meaning all 14 earned places in the final.

Pooja’s qualification adds another chapter to what has been an impressive season for the Indian high jumper. She has emerged as one of India’s standout performers in 2026, setting a new Indian women’s high jump national record with a clearance of 1.93m.

That season-best mark also puts Pooja among the strongest contenders heading into the world final.

Having negotiated qualification without a single failed attempt, Pooja will now look to reproduce her best form when the medals are decided.

 

India’s K. Ambriesh saw his campaign come to an end in the men’s high jump qualification at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026, narrowly missing out on a place in the final.

Competing in a highly competitive qualification round, Ambriesh produced a best clearance of 2.05m before being unable to progress further. He successfully cleared 2.05m, but could not negotiate 2.10m, falling short in all three attempts at the height.

The Indian youngster ultimately finished 12th in his qualification group, ending his challenge before the medal round.

Athletes were required to either clear the automatic qualifying height of 2.21m or finish among the 12 best performers across both qualification groups to secure a place in the final. However, Ambriesh’s clearance of 2.05m was not enough to earn one of the qualifying positions.

The qualification competition proved to be particularly challenging, with athletes battling for limited spots in the final through both clearances and countback. Despite a determined effort, Ambriesh was unable to improve on his best mark and bowed out at the qualification stage.

While his campaign ended earlier than hoped, competing at the World Athletics U20 Championships provided the young Indian high jumper with valuable international experience against some of the world’s leading junior athletes. Such exposure is an important step in the development of emerging talents as they prepare for future continental and global competitions.

Although Ambriesh’s journey concluded in the qualification round, India still has representation in the men’s high jump final through Basant, who earlier secured qualification with a clearance of 2.14m to finish 11th overall.

With the focus now shifting to the final, the Indian camp will look to build on Basant’s qualification while Ambriesh takes away valuable experience from his first appearance at the World Athletics U20 Championships.

 

India received its first positive result of the day at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 as Basant booked his place in the men’s high jump final with a composed performance in the qualification round.

Basant cleared a best height of 2.14m to finish fifth in his qualification group and 11th overall, earning one of the 12 places available in the final. His consistent jumping and ability to clear crucial heights with minimal attempts proved decisive in a closely contested qualification competition.

The Indian youngster enjoyed an impressive series, beginning with a first-attempt clearance at 2.00m, before comfortably negotiating 2.05m and 2.10m, both on his first attempt. He then cleared 2.14m on his second attempt, a jump that ultimately secured his progression to the medal round.

Basant’s Qualification Series:

Interestingly, no athlete across either qualification group managed to clear the automatic qualifying height of 2.21m. As a result, qualification was determined by the athletes’ performances and countback, with 2.14m proving sufficient to secure a place among the top 12 finalists.

Basant’s composed display under championship conditions reflects his consistency and ability to deliver when qualification was at stake. Clearing three successive heights on the first attempt gave him a valuable advantage before his successful effort at 2.14m ensured his place in the final.

With qualification secured, Basant will now turn his attention to the medal round, where he will compete against the world’s best junior high jumpers. His performance in the qualifying competition provides a solid foundation as he looks to produce another strong display in the final and challenge for a place among the leading finishers at the World Athletics U20 Championships.

 

India’s P. Royshan and Dhanush Raj were unable to secure places in the men’s triple jump final at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026, bringing the country’s campaign in the event to an end.

Competing in a strong qualification round featuring some of the world’s best junior jumpers, both Indian athletes fell short of the marks required to progress to the medal round. P. Royshan finished 25th overall, while Dhanush Raj placed 34th overall in the combined qualification standings.

Athletes needed to achieve the automatic qualifying standard of 16.00m or finish among the best 12 performers across both qualification groups to advance to the final. Despite their efforts, neither Indian jumper was able to meet the qualifying criteria.

The qualification round was topped by USA’s Miles Nesmith, who produced a personal best of 16.41m to comfortably surpass the automatic qualification mark and finish first overall heading into the final. Several other athletes also cleared the required standard or advanced based on their overall rankings to complete the 12-member final field.

Although Royshan and Dhanush Raj were unable to progress, competing at the World Athletics U20 Championships provided both athletes with valuable experience against the strongest junior triple jumpers in the world. The championships continue to serve as an important platform for young athletes to gain exposure at the highest international level and measure themselves against elite global competition.

The result concludes India’s participation in the men’s triple jump at the 2026 edition of the championships. Attention will now shift to the remaining Indian athletes still in action across track and field events, with several medal opportunities and qualification rounds yet to come in Eugene.

While the triple jump campaign ends in the qualification stage, India’s young athletes will look to build on the experience gained and continue their development in future international competitions.

 

Amanat Kamboj has qualified for the women’s discus throw final at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026 producing a season’s best throw of 52.58m to book her place among the world’s top young throwers.

The 19-year-old from Haryana finished sixth in Qualification Group A and 12th overall claiming the final qualifying spot for the championship final. Her 52.58m effort proved enough to edge into the 12-athlete field after the completion of both qualification groups.

Amanat, one of India’s leading junior throwers, delivered her best performance of the season when it mattered most. The throw highlighted the consistency that has made her one of the country’s brightest prospects in the discipline through a string of strong performances at the national junior level.

China dominated the qualification round, with Yixin Su topping the overall standings with a throw of 58.06m, while compatriot Chenyi Ma finished second overall after registering a season’s best 57.72m.

The World Athletics U20 Championships is the premier global competition for athletes under the age of 20 and has served as a launchpad for numerous future Olympic and World Championships medallists. A place in the final represents another significant milestone in Amanat’s development as she continues her transition towards the senior international circuit.

With qualification secured, Amanat will now turn her focus to the final, where she will look to build on her season’s best performance and challenge for a strong finish against the world’s best junior discus throwers.

 

India will have two representatives in the men’s javelin throw final at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026, with Ashish Yadav and T. Dharanidharan successfully advancing from the qualification round.

Ashish Yadav produced a confident performance to finish second overall across both qualification groups, registering a best throw of 69.87m. His consistent display ensured a comfortable qualification and established him as one of the leading contenders heading into the final.

Joining him in the medal round is T. Dharanidharan, who secured the 12th and final qualifying spot with a best effort of 68.07m. The Indian thrower held his nerve in a closely contested qualification round to book his place among the world’s top junior javelin throwers.

The qualification competition was topped by South Africa’s Jan-Hendrik Heymans, who was the only athlete to surpass the automatic qualification standard, recording an impressive 76.02m to lead the field into the final.

India’s double qualification is a significant achievement, ensuring strong representation in one of the championship’s most competitive field events. With Ashish finishing second overall and Dharanidharan also progressing, the Indian contingent will have two opportunities to challenge for medals in the final.

Both athletes have demonstrated consistency throughout the season and will now aim to produce their best performances on the biggest stage in junior athletics. Ashish enters the final with momentum after one of the strongest qualification performances, while Dharanidharan will look to build on his successful progression and improve further in the medal contest.

With two Indian javelin throwers reaching the World U20 final, India continues to showcase its growing strength in the event at the junior level. The final promises to be an exciting contest as Ashish Yadav and T. Dharanidharan take on the world’s best young javelin throwers in pursuit of a podium finish.

The javelin runway at the Commonwealth Games has historically been a stage of familiar scripts, but a seismic shift under the stadium lights has rewritten the hierarchy of global throwing. Yes, the Lankan is now King, and his name is Rumesh Tharanga Pathirage.

Pathirage seized the gold medal with an authoritative, soaring throw of 89.75 meters, leaving a stunned field trailing in his wake. Long gone are the days when the event felt like a closed bilateral conversation. The young Sri Lankan phenom, whose meteoric rise this season has kept the athletics world on edge, delivered a super performance under pressure with poise. When the spear left his hand, it carried not just momentum, but a clear message to the old guard: a new titan has arrived to claim the throne.

India secured a commendable 2-3 podium finish, anchored by Neeraj Chopra’s silver. Chopra fought hard, posting a season-best of 85.83 meters, displaying the resilience of a seasoned champion who refuses to yield easily. Yet, sport is relentlessly unforgiving. It is a harsh theatre where you either fight back with everything you have or sit back and watch your crown being stripped away, one majestic throw at a time. Chopra understands this dynamic better than anyone, recognizing that the standards of global excellence have shifted upward once again.

The absolute surprise of the pack, however, came from further down the Indian ranks. Yash Vir Singh authored the fairytale script of the night, pulling out a stunning personal best of 85.41 meters in the final round. Singh unleashed the ace of his life when it mattered most, leapfrogging world-class contenders to capture a sensational bronze medal. It was a breakthrough moment that announced Singh as a formidable new force on the international circuit.

Further back, the narrative was defined by the shocking fall of former giants. Olympic Champion Arshad Nadeem had a night to forget, failing to even crack the top eight after a disjointed series of throws. Similarly, former Olympic Champion and present World Champion Keshorn Walcott laboured through the evening, muted and off-colour, eventually having to settle for a distant sixth place.

As the dust settled on a dramatic night of track and field, the landscape of men’s javelin had fundamentally transformed. For Chopra and the rest of the elite, the gauntlet has officially been thrown.

 

India celebrated another successful evening on the athletics track at the Commonwealth Games 2026 as Praveen Chithravel and Selva Prabhu Thirumaran secured the silver and bronze medals, respectively, in the men’s triple jump final.

Praveen produced his best jump of 16.58m, while Selva cleared 16.52m, as Jamaica’s Jordan Scott claimed the gold medal with a winning effort of 16.72m.

The double podium finish takes India’s athletics medal tally to nine at the Games and continues the country’s impressive record in the event. At the previous Commonwealth Games, Indian triple jumpers had also secured two medals, winning gold and silver.

The final was a closely contested affair with momentum swinging throughout the competition.

Selva made the early breakthrough, improving from 16.17m in the second round to move into third place and establish himself firmly in medal contention. After three rounds, he remained third with a best of 16.47m, while Praveen was fifth after managing 16.31m.

The competition turned dramatically in the fourth round when Praveen, the Indian national record holder, unleashed a superb 16.58m effort to surge into the lead. At the same time, Selva appeared to have produced a massive jump of his own, only for it to be ruled a foul by the narrowest of margins—just 1 centimetre.

Both Indians responded strongly in the fifth round. Praveen backed up his leading mark with a 16.40m jump, while Selva produced a brilliant 16.52m to climb back into the medal positions.

However, Jordan Scott delivered when it mattered most, recording 16.72m to move ahead of Praveen and seal the Commonwealth title. Praveen settled for silver, with Selva completing the podium by taking bronze.

The result underlines India’s growing strength in the men’s triple jump, with two athletes once again standing on the Commonwealth Games podium and continuing the nation’s rich recent tradition in the event.

By Sundeep Misra

Jamaica’s Samantha Hall produced a commanding performance in the women’s discus throw final at Scotstoun Stadium to capture the gold medal. Canada’s rising talent Julia Tunks claimed silver, while India’s Seema Kaliramna completed a remarkable comeback by securing the bronze medal.

​In a tense contest where several throwers struggled with consistency in difficult ring conditions, Hall delivered a decisive throw of 61.66 meters in the penultimate round to firmly lock up top spot on the podium. The Jamaican national champion, who entered the competition as one of the title favorites, displayed steady poise throughout the series, steadily building momentum before launching her winning mark.
​Eighteen-year-old Canadian standout Julia Tunks pushed Hall early in the competition, launching a distance of 60.67 meters in the second round. That mark held strong for the duration of the event, earning Tunks her first major international senior podium finish with a deserving silver medal.
​For India’s Seema, the bronze medal was a testament to grit and composure. Returning to top-flight international athletics following motherhood and balancing a PhD in physical education, the 27-year-old opened with a fouled attempt before responding with a throw of 57.32 meters in the second round. She elevated her performance further in the third round, recording her best mark of the night at 58.65 meters.
Though fouls hampered her final three attempts, Seema’s third-round effort proved sufficient to keep her on the podium. Compatriot Nidhi Rani finished just outside medal contention in fourth place with a best effort of 57.10 meters.
​”It was very tough getting back to the field,” Seema noted after the final. Her achievement marks India’s ninth Commonwealth Games medal in women’s discus throw history, highlighting the nation’s enduring strength in the discipline.
​With Hall’s victory continuing Jamaica’s strong track and field presence in throw events and Tunks showcasing bright prospects for Canada, the final delivered a thrilling showcase of power and resilience across generations.

By Sundeep Misra

GLASGOW — Nigeria’s Chukwuebuka Enekwechi snatched a dramatic victory in the men’s shot put final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, launching a stunning fifth-round throw of 21.07 metres to dethrone defending champion Tom Walsh of New Zealand.

​The high-caliber final at Scotstoun Stadium delivered drama from the opening round. Walsh, the two-time defending champion, laid down an immediate marker on his very first attempt, sending the iron ball out to 21.03m. For most of the night, that opening salvo looked potent enough to secure a third consecutive Commonwealth crown for the Kiwi thrower.
​However, Enekwechi, the African record holder who had smoothly qualified for the final with a single throw a day earlier, stayed within striking distance throughout the competition. After hovering near the top positions with consistent throws above 20 metres, the Nigerian produced his decisive masterpiece in the fifth round.
With explosive technique, Enekwechi threw 21.07m to edge ahead of Walsh by just four centimeters, securing Nigeria’s eighth gold medal of the Games. Walsh was unable to respond in his final attempts and settled for the silver medal with his 21.03m effort. England’s Scott Lincoln rounded out the podium, taking bronze with a best mark of 20.99m.
​For Team India, the final proved to be a story of unfulfilled promise as national record holder Tajinderpal Singh Toor and young prospect Samardeep Singh Gill finished down the order, keeping India’s wait for a maiden Commonwealth Games shot put medal intact.
​Both Indians had entered the medal round with encouraging momentum following strong qualifying performances. Toor had qualified second overall with a 20.14m throw, while Samardeep booked his spot among the top 12 with a 19.95m effort.
​In the final, Samardeep started steadily with 19.56m before pushing his distance to 19.63m in the second attempt. He breached the 20-metre barrier in his third attempt with a 20.03m throw, but with the level of competition rising rapidly, he was unable to move up the leaderboard and ultimately finished seventh overall.
​Toor opened his account with a solid 20.06m to briefly hold third place before slipping down as rival throwers found their rhythm. The Asian champion staged a mid-competition fightback in the fourth round, recording his best distance of the evening at 20.27m to move back into fifth position.
Needing a massive throw to push into medal contention alongside Enekwechi, Walsh, and Lincoln, Toor followed up with 20.26m in the fifth round before closing with 19.79m, settling for fifth place overall.
​While the Indian camp departed without a medal, Enekwechi’s fifth-round heroics will go down as one of the standout field-event performances of the Glasgow Games.