Pooja enters high jump final; two Indians in long jump medal round

The Cliff News | 8 August 2026

India's Pooja has secured a spot in the women's high jump final at the World Athletics Under-20 Championships. Her performance on the third day of the event in Oregon placed her among the top 12 athletes advancing to the medal round.

The National Record-holder successfully cleared a height of 1.79m during the qualification round. This mark was sufficient to earn her a place in the final, as no athlete managed to meet the direct qualification standard of 1.84m. All 12 finalists achieved 1.79m as their best clearance.

Impressive Qualification Performance

Pooja's consistency in the qualification round highlights her potential for a strong showing in the final. The ability to secure a spot with the highest mark among the qualifiers demonstrates her current form and competitive spirit.

The qualification criteria for the final included either achieving the direct mark of 1.84m or being among the top 12 performers. With no jumpers reaching the 1.84m mark, the top 12 clearances at 1.79m determined the finalists, with Pooja successfully navigating this competitive landscape.

Background of Success

Earlier this year, Pooja achieved a significant milestone by breaking a 14-year-old senior National Record. She cleared 1.93m at the Asian U-20 Athletics Championships, where she went on to win a gold medal. This previous success underscores her talent and development as a high jumper.

The previous senior National Record was held by Sahana Kumari. Pooja's record-breaking performance at the Asian U-20 Championships not only secured her a gold medal but also marked her as a formidable athlete on the international stage.

Broader Indian Representation

In addition to Pooja's achievement in high jump, the World Athletics U-20 Championships also saw two Indian athletes qualifying for the long jump medal round. This indicates a promising performance from the Indian contingent across multiple disciplines at the championship.