Shahnavaz Khan of Pratapgarh, Uttar Pradesh, won a historic bronze medal in the men’s long jump at the World U20 Athletics Championships 2026 in Eugene, Oregon.
The 18-year-old produced a best jump of 7.84m in his third attempt to finish third. Italy’s Daniele Inzoli won gold with 7.97m, while Australia’s Mason McGroder took silver with 7.96m.
Shahnavaz became the first Indian male long jumper to win a medal at the junior world championships. Earlier, another Uttar Pradesh jumper, Shaili Singh, had won silver in women’s long jump in 2021.
His bronze also added to a breakthrough 2026 season in which he established himself as India’s third-best long jumper of all time.
The teenager opened the final with 7.67m before improving to 7.72m in his second attempt. He then produced his best effort of 7.84m in the third round. He followed it up with jumps of 7.52m and 7.83m.
His final attempt ended on a worrying note. Shahnavaz did not take off comfortably from the board, landing at 5.37m. He appeared to struggle to stand and walk after the jump.
Revsportz understands that he sustained an ACL tear. A serious injury can halt his Asian Games dream.
Shahnavaz first made headlines last year at the World Athletics Continental Tour Bronze meet in Bhubaneswar, where he leapt 8.04m, first 8m of his career and pushed Commonwealth Games medallist Murali Sreeshankar. The latter produced a stunning 8.13m in his final attempt to win the competition.
Shahnavaz continued his progress in 2026. At the Junior Federation Cup in Tumakuru, he leapt 8.23m to break Sreeshankar’s long-standing junior national record. He then won the Asian U20 title in Hongkong before taking his performance to another level at the National Interstate Athletics Championships in Bhubaneswar, where Shahnavaz jumped 8.30m at the Kalinga Stadium’s sand pit to improve his own national record, qualify for the Asian Games and establish himself as India’s third best all time performer.
He had entered the World U20 final after finishing fifth overall in qualification, with a best effort of 7.73m in his final attempt. Fellow Indian Jithin Arjuna also reached the final after finishing 12th with 7.57m.
Jithin finished eighth in the final, recording a best of 7.59m.
Shahnavaz’s bronze was India’s third medal at the championships and the second of the day, after Basant Meghwal won silver in the men’s high jump.
Earlier, Ashish Yadav won silver in the men’s javelin throw. His medal ended a long wait for India in the event at the World U20 Championships after Neeraj Chopra’s historic gold in 2016. Chopra’s 86.48m throw from that edition remains the championship record.
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