Pooja Singh breaks 14-year-old national record to win gold at Asian U20 Athletics Championships

India’s Pooja Singh scripted history at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026 after clearing 1.93m in the women’s high jump to shatter the long-standing national record and clinch the gold medal on Friday.

The youngster broke the previous U20 national mark held by Sahana Kumari, which had stood unbeaten for 14 years, producing one of India’s standout performances at the continental meet in Hong Kong.

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Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya also praised Pooja’s achievement on social media platform X.

“Soaring to new heights! Stellar performance by TOPS athlete Pooja to win Gold at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships. Her 1.93m jump breaks the National Record. Wishing her the best for a bright future!” Mandaviya wrote on X.

Soaring to new heights!

Stellar performance by TOPS athlete Pooja to win Gold at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships. Her 1.93m jump breaks the National Record. Wishing her the best for a bright future! pic.twitter.com/xYTkAzYk5D

— Dr Mansukh Mandaviya (@mansukhmandviya) May 29, 2026

India also celebrated success in the men’s decathlon as Rahul Jakhar delivered a record-breaking performance to secure gold with 7,185 points. His effort not only earned him the top podium finish but also established a new U20 national record in the event.

Rahul produced personal bests in seven of the 10 disciplines during a dominant all-round campaign, while fellow Indian athlete Upkar completed a memorable 1-2 finish for the country by claiming the silver medal.

A total of 48 Indian athletes, 30 men and 18 women, are representing the country at the Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026 being held in Hong Kong from May 28 to 31.

The Athletics Federation of India selected the squad based on performances in domestic competitions, including the Junior Federation Cup held in Tumakuru in April.

Indian athletes are also aiming to secure qualification for the World U20 Athletics Championships 2026, scheduled to be held at Hayward Field from August 5 to 9.

Asian U20 Athletics Championships 2026: India squad

Men: Rudra Sachin Shinde (200m, 4x100m relay), Mohammed Ashfaq (400m, 4x400m relay and mixed 4x400m relay), Piyush Raj (400m, 4x400m relay, mixed 4x400m relay), Venkatram Reddy Mogali (800m), Sandeep Yadav, Vikas Kumar (3000m), Nikhil C (3000m steeplechase), Kiran Kunchan (110mh), Jashanpreet Singh, Amit Kumar (400mh), Nitin Gupta, Tushar Panwar (5000m race walk), Basant (high jump), Shahnavaz Khan, Jithin Arjunan Raman (long jump), Royshan Poorna Chandrasekar (triple jump), Nishchay (discus throw), Ashuvendra Pratap Singh, Aman (hammer throw), Ashish Yadav (javelin throw), Upkar, Rahul Jakhar (decathlon), Anshu Rajak, Aditya Pisal, Nived Krishna J, Mehebubul Ahamed, Ranjith Kumar Senthil Kumar, Sayed Sabeer, Nakul Prabhu, Abhay Kumar Dubey (4x100m relay).

Women: Nipam (100m, 4x100m relay), Bhumika Sanjay Nehate (200m, 4x100m relay, mixed 4x100m relay), Aarti (200m, 4x400m relay, mixed 4x400m relay), Neeru Pathak (400m, 4x400m relay, mixed 4x400m relay), Tahura Khutan (400m, 4x400m relay, mixed 4x400m relay), Muskan (5000m), Mansi Avinash Yadav, Aisha Verma (3000m steeplechase), Pooja (high jump), Sadhana Ravi (triple jump), Amanat Kamboj (discus throw), Poonam (javelin throw), Bhavana G (4x100m relay), Rujula Amol Bhonsle (4x100m relay), Kajal Hirabhai Vaja (4x100m relay), Sehnoor Bawa (4x400m relay, mixed 4x400m relay), Kavita (400m, 4x400m relay, mixed 4x400m relay), Mehardeep Kaur (4x400m relay, mixed 4x400m relay).