Shahnavaz Khan bags long jump bronze for India at World U20 Championships

Shahnawaz Khan delivered a landmark performance in the men's long jump, winning bronze at the World U20 Championships. His 7.84m effort made him the first Indian men's long jumper to win a World-level championship medal.Shahnawaz's best effort of 7.84m secured India's third medal at the championships. (Photo: Instagram)Shahnawaz Khan won bronze in the men's long jump at the World Athletics U20 Championships, giving India its third medal of the competition. His best effort of 7.84m also made him the first Indian men's long jumper to win a medal at a World-level championship.The 20-year-old Indian entered the final after qualifying with a 7.73m effort and improved his mark in the medal round. His third attempt proved decisive as he landed 7.84m to move into third place and eventually secure a third medal for India in the competition after Ashish Yadav and Basant Meghwal's silver medals.WATCH THE VIDEO: Watch Shahnavaz win BRONZE at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026.He won bronze in the men’s long jump final with a best attempt of 7.84m, which came in his 3rd attempt.No athlete in the field was able to breach the 8m mark. Daniele Inzoli (Italy) – 7.97m pic.twitter.com/iWzPLb7cFF— nnis Sports (@nnis_sports) August 9, 2026Italy's Daniele Leonardo Inzoli won gold with 7.97m, while Australia's Mason McGroder took silver with 7.96m. Shahnawaz finished ahead of the rest of the field despite a late scare in his final attempt.SHAHNAWAZ HOLDS ON FOR BRONZEShahnawaz opened the final with a 7.67m jump and followed it with 7.72m. He then produced his best effort of the competition, jumping 7.84m on his third attempt. His fourth attempt measured 7.52m, leaving the 7.84m effort as his best mark. There was some concern after his final jump as Shahnawaz appeared to suffer a cramp and was left on his knees, visibly frustrated as he waited to see whether the athletes behind him could challenge his position.None could produce a better mark, allowing the Indian to hold on to bronze. His series in the final read 7.67m, 7.72m, 7.84m and 7.52m. India's other finalist, R.C. Jithin Arjunan, finished eighth with a best effort of 7.59m.A REMARKABLE FOUR-MONTH RISEThe medal completes an extraordinary period of progress for Shahnawaz.Over the last four months, he has improved his personal best to 8.23m before raising it again to 8.30m. He also won gold at the Asian U20 Championships, breached the qualification mark for the 2026 Asian Games and became India's third-best long jumper of all time.He also broke the U20 national record before making his way into the World U20 Championships final.Shahnawaz grew up in Madhaipur village in Uttar Pradesh's Pratapgarh district. His father drove a taxi, while sport was a strong influence within his family.His uncle Shahrukh is a former National Games champion in the 3000m steeplechase, while another uncle, Mohammad Hadees, was a former national-level javelin thrower and has been a key inspiration for Shahnawaz.Now, the 7.84m jump has given him a place in Indian athletics history.The bronze is India's first World-level medal in men's long jump, marking a significant milestone for the discipline and another breakthrough for Indian athletics at the U20 World Championships.- EndsPublished By: Debodinna ChakrabortyPublished On: Aug 9, 2026 09:22 IST