Ashfaq breaks U20 400m national record; Amanat sixth in women's discus at U20 Worlds
Mohommed Ashfaq broke the U20 national 400m record and Amanat Kamboj finished sixth in the women's discus final at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, USA, on August 8, 2026. Ashfaq clocked 45.81 seconds to advance to the men's 400m semifinals, and Kamboj registered a lifetime best of 53.24m in the discus final.
The 19-year-old Ashfaq ran in Heat 5, recording 45.81s to place second behind USA's Jayden DeLeon, who won the heat in 45.63s. His 45.81s time ranked fourth overall in the first round. Ashfaq improved on his own under-20 national record of 46.05 seconds, which he had set earlier this season in April. Compatriot Piyush Raj finished fifth in Heat 6 in 47.78s and was 35th overall, failing to progress.
In the women's discus final, 18-year-old Amanat Kamboj's opening throw of 53.24m was her lifetime best and enough for sixth place. Su Yixin of China took the gold with 61.06m. Jaslene Massey of the USA won silver with 58.41m and Marina Hadjicosta of Cyprus earned bronze with 54.88m.
Basant advanced to the men's high jump final after a best clearance of 2.14m, which left him fifth in qualification Group A and 11th overall. K Ambriesh did not progress, clearing 2.05m for 12th in Group B and 24th overall. He failed to clear 2.10m in all three attempts.
Anshu missed the women's shot put final, placing ninth in her qualification group and 14th overall with a throw of 15.24m. Tanu Chaudhary failed to reach the women's 400m hurdles semifinals after finishing fifth in her heat and 33rd overall with a time of 1:00.03. Amit Kumar finished eighth and last in his heat in the men's 400m hurdles, clocking 54.01 seconds.
P Royshan and Dhanush Raj did not qualify for the men's triple jump final, finishing 25th and 34th overall with efforts of 15.20m and 14.71m respectively.
Ashfaq will compete in the men's 400m semifinals and Basant will contest the men's high jump final in the next rounds of the World Athletics U20 Championships.
