Indian high jumper Pooja made headlines at the U20 World Athletics Championships in Lima, Peru, by setting a new U20 national record in the women’s high jump. The 17-year-old athlete cleared an impressive 1.83 metres in the qualification round, securing her place in the final and showcasing her potential on the international stage.
Pooja began her competition at a height of 1.65 metres, which she cleared effortlessly. She continued her strong performance by clearing 1.69 metres on her first attempt. However, the journey wasn’t entirely smooth; she faced a challenge at 1.73 metres, managing to clear the height only on her third attempt. Despite the setback, Pooja’s determination saw her through as she went on to clear 1.77 metres and 1.80 metres with ease.
It was her final clearance of 1.83 metres, achieved after three attempts, that set the new national record and marked a significant milestone in her young career.
Jay Kumar solid show in 400m Final
In another notable performance, India’s Jay Kumar finished sixth in the men’s 400 metres final, clocking a time of 46.99 seconds. The quarter-miler has been one of the standout athletes for India at the championships, consistently improving his personal best across the heats and semi-finals.
Although he did not secure a medal, Jay’s sub-47-second run underscores his growing prowess in the event and his potential for future competitions.
Mixed results for Indian Contingent
The Indian contingent had mixed results in other events. In the women’s 100 metres hurdles, Unnathi Aiyappa finished 28th overall with a time of 13.92 seconds, which was not enough to advance to the semi-finals. Unnathi also competed in the women’s 200 metres, where she clocked 24.10 seconds, finishing 22nd overall. Her compatriot, Neeru Pathak, completed the same race in 24.77 seconds, placing 38th.
In the men’s 110 metres hurdles, Nayan Pardip Sarde and Hariharan Kathiravan recorded times of 14.60 seconds and 15.34 seconds, respectively, finishing 60th and 66th overall. Meanwhile, Mohammed Atta Sajid competed in the men’s long jump qualification, where his best leap of 7.39 metres placed him 16th, just short of making it to the final round.
Looking ahead: U20 World Athletics Championships
As the U20 World Athletics Championships continue, the performances of athletes like Pooja and Jay Kumar highlight the growing talent within India’s youth athletics.
With Pooja setting a new national record and Jay consistently breaching his personal bests, India’s young athletes are proving their mettle on the global stage, setting the foundation for a bright future in athletics.
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