Mohd. Ashfaq breaks Indian U20 400m record on opening day of World Athletics U20 Championships 2026

Mohd. Ashfaq broke the Indian U20 400m national record on the opening day of the World Athletics U20 Championships 2026, clocking 45.81 seconds to progress to the men's 400m semifinals. The time bettered his previous Indian U20 mark of 46.05 seconds set earlier this season.

Fresh from India's 39-medal haul in Glasgow, the country's younger athletes opened their U20 campaign with Mohd. Ashfaq and high jumper Basant producing the most notable results on day one. While some field event and hurdles entries failed to advance, the initial performances provided competitive advances for India at the championships.

Ashfaq finished second in his 400m heat behind American Jayden DeLeon, who ran 45.63 seconds, and recorded a lifetime best 45.81s. His effort placed him fourth overall among all qualifiers and secured his spot in the semifinals.

The 45.81s was an improvement on Ashfaq's earlier-season Indian U20 record of 46.05s and represented a personal best performance at the meet. The time underscored his rapid progression this season as he moves into the semifinal round.

Basant advanced to the high jump final after clearing 2.00m, 2.05m and 2.10m on his first attempts and clearing 2.14m on his second. With no athlete achieving the automatic qualifying standard of 2.21m, Basant's 2.14m was sufficient to place him 11th overall and into the final.

Not all Indian entries progressed: P. Royshan and Dhanush Raj finished 25th and 34th respectively in the men's triple jump qualification and did not advance, while Tanu Chaudhary was 28th overall in the women's 400m hurdles heats and was eliminated.

Ashfaq will compete in the men's 400m semifinals and Basant is set to appear in the high jump final as the championships move into later rounds.