Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated Indian U20 athletics team after their strong show at recently concluded U20 Athletics Championships,and yes,19 medals with 10 golds is not small thing ah.
And India finishing second overall makes it even bigger . For young athletes,this kind of result does show confidence is building,especially in athletics where every second,every centimetre matters .
Modi described this achievement as testament to determination and excellence shown by young Indian athletes . Fair point also,because this was not just one or two lucky medals,the whole contingent kept delivering across events.
On final day itself,Indian team ended campaign in style with three additional gold medals . Muskan won women’s 5000m race with time of 16:53.08,Nishchay set national U20 record in men’s discus throw with distance of 60.10m,and Mogali Venkatram Reddy took gold in men’s 800m with 1:48.27 .
Few performances clearly stood out:
- Muskan won women’s 5000m in 16:53.08.
- Nishchay set national U20 record in men’s discus throw with 60.10m.
- Mogali Venkatram Reddy secured gold in men’s 800m with 1:48.27.
And relay teams also gave proper reason to celebrate . Women’s 4x400m relay team of Neeru Pathak,Bhumika Sanjay Nehate,Tahura Khatun,and Sehnoor Bawa clocked 3:38.07 and broke previous meet record. That kind of team timing needs serious coordination,not just speed.
Men’s 4x400m relay team also improved meet record with time of 3:05.54,finishing third overall . Women’s 4x100m relay team comprising Kajal Hirabhai Vaja,Bhavana G,Aarti,and Nipam won silver with time of 45.05 seconds.
But at same time,one comparison will come up naturally . This performance still fell short of India’s best-ever medal tally of 29 medals during 2024 edition held in Dubai. Still,19 medals and 10 golds is solid progress only,especially when we are talking about U20 level athletes.
Modi also said such achievements should inspire young Indians to take up sports and aim for excellence at national and international stages . And honestly,that is bigger point here,how many more kids will look at these names and think maybe athletics is possible for them too…
Because medals are one thing,but building belief in next batch is different game altogether . And that question is still open…
