India Finish Second With 19 Medals At Asian U20 Athletics Championships In Hong Kong

Strong Medal Haul

India’s 48-member contingent (30 men and 18 women) delivered its best-ever overseas performance, equalling the country’s highest finish in the competition’s history. The campaign highlighted India’s growing strength in youth athletics, particularly in relays, middle-distance events, and field disciplines. 

Relay Records And Glory

The women’s 4x400m relay team of Neeru Pathak, Bhumika Sanjay Nehate, Tahura Khatun, and Sehnoor Bawa won gold with a meet record of 3:38.07 seconds, breaking Japan’s 2018 mark. The men’s 4x400m relay team (Piyush Raj, Sayed Sabeer, Ranjith Kumar S, Mohammed Ashfaq) claimed bronze in 3:05.54, setting a new Indian U20 national record. 

Individual Standouts

• Muskan won gold in the women’s 5,000m with 16:53.08.
• Venkatram Reddy Mogali clinched gold in the men’s 800m with a personal best of 1:48.27.
• Pooja Singh broke the senior national high jump record with 1.93m, winning gold.
• Rahul Jakhar won gold in decathlon with a new U20 national record of 7185 points.
• Shahnavaz Khan and Jithin Arjunan secured a 1-2 finish in men’s long jump (7.84m and 7.66m).
• Nishchay won silver in discus throw with 60.10m, becoming the first Indian U20 athlete to cross 60m. 

Building For The Future

India’s second-place finish not only matched its best-ever ranking (previously achieved in 1992 and 1996 at home) but also served as a qualifier for the World U20 Athletics Championships 2026 in Eugene, USA. The results underline the success of grassroots training and the promise of India’s next generation of athletes. 

Medal Tally Highlights

• India: 19 medals (10 gold, 5 silver, 4 bronze)
• China: 25 medals (14 gold, 9 silver, 2 bronze)
• Japan: 18 medals (5 gold, 5 silver, 8 bronze)
• Women’s 4x400m relay set new meet record
• Men’s 4x400m relay set Indian U20 national record

Sources: Firstpost, Sportstar, The Hans India, Rediff, Olympics.com